AUGUSTA, Maine — The Maine Department of Environmental Protection has forecasted the air quality in northern Maine as "unhealthy for sensitive groups" on Thursday.
This means people with heart or lung disease, the elderly, teenagers, and children should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors. Asthmatics should follow their action plans and keep quick relief meds handy, and those with heart disease should watch for palpitations, shortness of breath, or unusual fatigue, according to the state.
Smoke began moving into Maine on Tuesday, stemming from wildfires in Canada. Officials said Wednesday there were signs it could persist past Thursday. the air quality in northern Maine was listed as "unhealthy for sensitive groups" on Wednesday as well.
"Currently, we expect the remainder of the state to be in the Moderate range, but we will continue to monitor the situation," the Maine DEP said in a press release.
For a chart showing how the Maine DEP ranks air quality from GOOD to HAZARDOUS, click here.
Some actions people can take to protect their health during this period include:
- Avoiding strenuous outdoor activity
- Closing windows and circulating indoor air with a fan or air conditioner
Additional health information can be found on the following websites:
The state also listed the following resources for people to follow the air quality forecast: