Wildfire smoke traveling across the country from the midwest will likely lower Maine air quality on Wednesday.
As of midday Tuesday, air quality conditions across much of Maine remained fair, according to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection.
Ozone levels are expected to rise along the coast Wednesday, while the entire state is expected to experience “moderate particle pollution” from the wildfire smoke.
Smoke can bring particle pollution that causes coughing, shortness of breath, throat irritation or mild chest pain, especially to vulnerable people, including children, older adults, and Mainers with lung or heart disease, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The particles include residue from burning trees and houses, in addition to other fine materials that can get deeply into the lungs to irritate them.
The wildfire smoke is originating mostly from fires throughout the Great Plains and eastern Minnesota, according to the U.S. Forest Service’s fire and smoke map.
Temperatures will be in the high 70s to 80s throughout the state Wednesday, with sunny skies expected.