Think Cold!  Residents of Island View Apartments Make a Snowman a Few Years Ago.

A plume of smoke from wildfires in Canada moved into Maine on Saturday.  On Sunday, August 3, 2025, a dense portion of the plume is expected to reach the ground in the Northern region:  including all of Piscataquis & Aroostook counties, the northern 1/3 of Somerset, the northern half of Penobscot County and the northern half of Washington County according to a press release issued this morning from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection.

A moderately dense portion of the plume is expected to impact the western regions:  including all of Oxford and Franklin counties and the southern 2/3 of Somerset County, inland portions of York, Cumberland, Sagadahoc and Lincoln counties; and all of Androscoggin and Kennebec counties.

The press release continues:  Onshore winds develop during the day keeping the remainder of the state from rising above the Moderate range.

The plume is expected to begin to move south through Maine on Monday.  Some pockets of moderately dense smoke are possible.  It is not likely to clear out of Maine before late Tuesday.  There may be a need to extend the alert or add some additional areas, so please check the air quality forecast page for the latest updates.

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 hotice symptoms such as coughig, shortness of breath, throat irritation, and/or experiene mild chest pain.

Maine DEP suggests you can take some precautions during these periods such as:  Avoiding strenouus outdoor activity, closing windows and circulatig indoor air with a fan or air conditioner and that asthmatics keep their quick-relief medications and action plan handy.

For more information go to Maine ‘s Department of Evironmental Protection air quality web site.