Thousands Warned To Go Inside If They Start Coughing
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Thousands of Americans in northern and central Maine were under an air quality alert on Wednesday after state officials warned of unhealthy pollution levels from wildfire smoke.
The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) reported that fine particle pollution from smoke had pushed air quality into the "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" category, prompting warnings for residents to avoid strenuous outdoor activity and to stay alert for respiratory symptoms.
Why It Matters
The alert comes as smoke from Canadian wildfires has descended across the U.S. throughout the summer, creating hazy skies in some areas while blanketing other regions with smoke that is thick enough to cause physical symptoms.
The most recent alert in Maine emphasized heightened risks for vulnerable populations—children, the elderly, people with asthma or heart diseases, and those working or exercising outdoors.
A stock photo of a man coughing.
A stock photo of a man coughing.
Liubomyr Vorona/Getty
What to Know
The alert affects thousands from Allagash to Topsfield, including key cities such as Caribou, Houlton, Greenville, and Millinocket, and was scheduled to remain in effect until midnight.
Smoke and particle pollution, primarily traced to wildfires burning in Canada, contributed to the degraded air quality, which officials said may persist until at least Thursday.
"Smoke is expected to continue to impact Maine on Thursday. It should start to clear out later in the day," the air quality alert from the DEP said.
State health authorities urged people experiencing coughing, shortness of breath, throat irritation, or chest discomfort to immediately limit outdoor exposure.
The Maine Department of Environmental Protection issued the air quality alert for the following regions: Northwest Aroostook, Northeast Aroostook, Northern Somerset, Northern Piscataquis, Northern Penobscot, Southeast Aroostook, Central Piscataquis, Central Penobscot, Southern Piscataquis, and Northern Washington counties. Affected cities include Allagash, Clayton Lake, Madawaska, Fort Kent, Frenchville, Presque Isle, Caribou, Van Buren, Mars Hill, Ashland, Millinocket, Greenville, Lincoln, Dover-Foxcroft, and several others, covering much of the northern and central part of the state.
Officials expected the highest concentration of smoke and particle pollution to begin dissipating by Wednesday evening. However, polluted air and moderate particle levels could linger into Thursday as the smoke plume gradually exits the region.
Local and federal data confirmed the region was experiencing pollution levels classified as "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups, in which the Air Quality Index (AQI) measures between 101 and 150, meaning that susceptible individuals could experience adverse health effects, while the general public could also be affected with prolonged exposure."
The AQI scale used for these alerts helps residents understand the severity of pollution. Officials warned that exposure to AQI considered unhealthy for sensitive groups may cause health effects for sensitive individuals and could begin to affect the general public with prolonged or strenuous outdoor exposure. For the remainder of Maine, particle and ozone levels were expected to remain in the moderate AQI range.
What People Are Saying
National Weather Service (NWS) Caribou in an air quality alert: "The Maine Department of Environmental Protection recommends that individuals consider limiting strenuous outdoor physical activity to reduce the risk of adverse health effects. People who may be especially sensitive to the effects of elevated levels of pollutants include the very young, the elderly, those with pre-existing respiratory problems such as asthma, those with heart disease and anyone who is working hard outdoors. But if you experience symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing, throat irritation or an uncomfortable sensation in your chest please consider limiting the intensity and duration of your outdoor activities."
NWS meteorologist Alice Brennan told Newsweek: "Based on forecasting, [the smoke] should start to clear out a bit. The heaviest was definitely today and should start to gradually push out by tomorrow. There is a low-pressure system coming in that's going to bring a good chance for thunderstorms, especially north of I-95, so gusty winds, heavy rainfall, things like that."
What Happens Next
Air quality across Maine is expected to improve as denser smoke moves out by Wednesday evening. However, some particle pollution may persist into Thursday until wind patterns fully clear the region. State agencies are continuing to monitor the situation and will update forecasts and advisories as conditions change.
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