Pollution from Canada wildfires brings down Maine air quality | Local News [Video]

STATEWIDE — Wildfires in Canada are affecting air quality across the Northeast.

On Wednesday, air quality in Maine was deemed unhealthy for sensitive groups in some places, and weather experts and healthcare professionals are urging all to use caution.

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has issued air quality warnings for much of the state, pertaining to two separate air pollutants: ozone concentration and particle pollution.

“The surface particle pollution levels are starting to rise. Actually, the unhealthy for sensitive groups forecast for ozone is primarily for ozone, which is along the coast,” explained Martha Webster, Air Quality Meteorologist for the Maine DEP.

Webster says elevated ozone levels can cause issues for groups sensitive to air changes, while wildfire smoke is contributing to air pollution.

“Those particles are going to affect anybody that has any preexisting medical condition, especially those with conditions that are respiratory related….make sure you have your …