THE MAINE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION\'S BUREAU OF AIRQUALITY HAS ISSUED AN AIR QUALITY ALERT FOR PARTICLE POLLUTION FROM 10 AM THIS MORNING TO MIDNIGHT EDT TONIGHT.

PARTICLE POLLUTION LEVELS ARE EXPECTED TO RISE INTO THE UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS RANGE DURING THE DAY TODAY. SMOKE FROM WILDFIRES IN WESTERN ONTARIO AND MANITOBA IS EXPECTED TO MOVE BACK INTO MAINE DURING THE DAY TODAY. MODERATE LEVELS OF OZONE ARE ALSO EXPECTED FOR THE MID-COAST INCLUDING THE HIGH ELEVATIONS OF ACADIA NATIONAL PARK.

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, OLDER ADULTS, THOSE WHO WORK OUTDOORS, THOSE WITH PRE-EXISTING RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS SUCH AS ASTHMA, AND THOSE WITH HEART DISEASE. IT IS OKAY TO BE ACTIVE 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.

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.

ADDITIONALLY THE MAINE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION HAS THE AIR QUALITY FORECAST AVAILABLE ON THE WEB AT WWW.MAINE.GOV DEP AIR AQFORECAST.