REVISED, NOWCAST Monday, June 9, 2025 @ 8:01 APM: Monday’s Air Quality forecast for Ozone is GOOD statewide while Particle Pollution is UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS for the Southwest Coastal region and MODERATE for the remainder of the state. [Particle pollution levels have been running in the USG range since yesterday in the Southwest Coastal region. During the day levels are expected to drop a bit, but more smoke is expected later in the day. There is a portion of the smoke plume that broke off over Labrador. Sunday afternoon it moved southward along the outermost portions of the Canadian Maritimes. Early today winds will begin to push that plume westward over water south of Nova Scotia. That plume is expected to move into the Gulf of Maine with the leading edge reaching the coastline this afternoon.] — Webster
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For Immediate Release
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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
USEPA’s asthma control and management
AIRNOW for smoke impacted areas
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
Maine DEP’s Air Quality Hotline: 1-800-223-1196
USEPA’s EnviroFlash email and text alert system
USEPA’s AIRNOW Fire and Smoke Map
USEPA’s AIRNOW Mobile App
Governor Mill’s “Wildfires and Air Quality” online resource
For more information go to Maine DEP’s air quality web site.
For additional information, contact:
David R. Madore, Deputy Commissioner
david.madore@maine.gov
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