WOODSMOKE AND AIR QUALITY FORECASTING

Maine DEP's Bureau of Air Quality's Meteorologists forecast air quality year-round so people can take precautions to protect their health when air quality is poor.

Air quality forecasts are issued for ozone and particle pollution for 7 regions in Maine plus a high elevation site.

Ozone levels are low during the winter and peak during the summer. 'Ozone season' currently runs from April 1 st through September 30 th . [If/when EPA lowers the ozone standard, ozone season may begin earlier and end later.]

Woodsmoke contains particle pollution and contributes to poor air quality in Maine.

Particle pollution can occur year-round in Maine. However, it peaks in the summer due to regional events including those triggered by wildfires. It also peaks during the winter mostly due to several factors on the local level (covered on the 'Wood Smoke in Maine ' page) along with an occasional regional event. Spring and autumn experience fewer days when particle pollution levels are a health issue.

The forecast of particle pollution levels is based on what has been learned at monitoring locations in Maine. These lessons are then used to forecast 'worst case' particle pollution levels for an entire region taking into account the likely contribution of woodsmoke especially during the winter months.

 

People with existing lung or heart disease who limit their exposure to poor air quality are able to reduce the amount of medication needed, lessen the likelihood that they need to visit a doctor or an emergency department and lower their risk of serious complications.

 

Forecasts are issued using EPA's Air Quality Index (AQI) which includes appropriate health messages depending on the category. [Most health messages encourage people to reduce 'prolonged' or 'heavy' exertion. This does NOT mean that people shouldn't exercise just that they should do so intelligently. To find out what that entails go to 'Smart Exercise'.]

 

Air Quality forecasts are available:

• Via toll free hotline (800) 223-1196,
• Via the web on DEP's Air Quality Forecast page (there is a wealth of air quality information available from these pages including current air quality data, air quality trends, etc.),
• Via EPA's AIRNOW web site,
• Via email through EPA's EnviroFlash [Type in your zip code and select the AQI level at which you wish to receive the emails. If you are sensitive to poor air quality it is suggested you select the 'Moderate' level. Otherwise, we suggest you select the 'Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups' level.], and
• When air quality is expected to be unhealthful Maine DEP issues a press release to the media and cooperates with the National Weather Service to issue an 'Air Quality Alert'.

So protect your health and 'Keep an eye on the AQI' .

NEXT PAGE

Maine.gov | DEP Home | Air Quality Home | Site Policies | Air Webmaster