**--- PRESS RELEASE ---
"For Immediate Release"

MEDEP logo

 

Air Quality Alert Issued for the Southwest Coast of Maine Amid Canadian Wildfires

 
*AUGUSTA, June 9, 2025* — Ground-level particle pollution concentrations are expected to be in the ‘Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups’ (USG) level according to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection.

Sunday, USG levels of particle pollution were recorded in the Southwest Coastal area. This morning, levels continue in the USG range.  While levels may drop during the day, another plume of wildfire smoke is expected to move in from the east.  This is a portion of the plume from the western Canadian wildfires that broke off over Newfoundland and Labrador.  It has now moved south of Nova Scotia.  Easterly winds are expected to push this plume toward the Maine & New Hampshire coast with the leading edge reaching the shoreline this afternoon. 

Currently, smoke is expected to move out on Tuesday. DEP will continue to monitor the situation and update Tuesday’s forecast this afternoon.

Smoke may return in the coming days as wildfires continue to burn across Canada.

At elevated levels of particle pollution, children, the elderly, and individuals suffering from respiratory or heart diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, or COPD can experience reduced lung function and irritation.  In addition, healthy adults who exert themselves outdoors may also notice these health effects.  Affected individuals may notice symptoms such as coughing, shortness of breath, throat irritation, and/or experience mild chest pain.

Some actions you can take to protect your health during periods of elevated particle pollution levels include:


* Avoid strenuous outdoor activity
* Close windows and circulate indoor air with a fan or air conditioner
* If you have asthma, keep your quick-relief medications and action plan handy

Additional health information may be found on the following websites:


* Maine CDC asthma prevention and control [ [link removed] ]
* USEPA's asthma control and management [ [link removed] ]
* AIRNOW for smoke impacted areas [ [link removed] ]

In addition to those in a sensitive group, others who are responsible for the welfare of people impacted by poor air quality are urged to use one of the listed tools to follow the Air Quality Forecast:


* Maine DEP’s Air Quality Forecast [ [link removed] ]
* *Maine DEP's Air Quality Hotline*: 1-800-223-1196
* USEPA’s EnviroFlash email and text alert system [ [link removed] ]
* USEPA’s AIRNOW Fire and Smoke Map [ [link removed] ]
* USEPA’s AIRNOW Mobile App [ [link removed] ]
* Governor Mill’s “Wildfires and Air Quality” online resource [ [link removed] ]

For more information go to Maine DEP’s air quality web site [ [link removed] ].



"For additional information, contact":

David R. Madore, Deputy Commissioner

[email protected] [ link ]






________________________________________________________________________

MEDEP Logo [ [link removed] ] 

*Maine Department of Environmental Protection
*Manage Subscriber Preferences [ [link removed] ] | Unsubscribe [ [link removed] ] | Help [ [link removed] ] | Contact Us
[ [link removed] ]STAY CONNECTED:
  Twitter Logo [ [link removed] ] GovDelivery Envelope [ [link removed] ] Bookmark and Share [ [link removed] ]
[ [link removed] ]


________________________________________________________________________

This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Maine Department of Environmental Protection · 17 State House Station · Augusta, ME 04333 · 207-287-7688 GovDelivery logo [ [link removed] ]