.Air quality alert is in effect until 5 PM The Maine Department of Environmental Protection has issued an air quality action day for the following counties... Central Penobscot...Central Piscataquis...Central Washington... Coastal Hancock...Coastal Washington...Interior Hancock...Northeast Aroostook...Northern Penobscot...Northern Piscataquis...Northern Somerset...Northern Washington...Northwest Aroostook...Southeast Aroostook...Southern Penobscot...Southern Piscataquis. THE MAINE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION`S BUREAU OF AIR QUALITY HAS ISSUED AN AIR QUALITY ALERT . . . UNTIL 5 PM ON TUESDAY JULY 27. . . FOR THE ENTIRE STATE DUE TO SMOKE FROM WILDFIRES INCREASING PARTICLE POLLUTION LEVELS. 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 AND THOSE WITH PRE-EXISTING RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS SUCH AS ASTHMA AND OR HEART DISEASE. THOSE WITH SYMPTOMS SHOULD CONSIDER CONSULTING THEIR PERSONAL PHYSICIAN. A TOLL FREE AIR QUALITY HOTLINE HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED SO MAINE RESIDENTS CAN STAY INFORMED ON THE AIR QUALITY SITUATIONS. THE TOLL FREE NUMBER IS: 1- 800-223-1196.