Air quality in Maine is expected to become classified as "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" on Tuesday due to incoming smoke from Canadian wildfires.

A plume of smoke from fires in western Canada pushed into the Great Lakes during the weekend and continued eastward on Monday, according to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection.

DEP warns that children, healthy adults who exert themselves, and individuals suffering from respiratory diseases such as asthma, bronchitis or COPD can experience reduced lung function and irritation.

“When this happens, individuals may notice a shortness of breath, coughing, throat irritation, and/or experience an uncomfortable sensation in their chest,” DEP announced in a news release on Monday.

Those with heart disease should follow these guidelines, according to DEP:

• Avoid strenuous outdoor activity;
• If you are exposed to heavy smoke or have health concerns that might be worsened by smoke, consider wearing a N95 or KN95 mask; if you do not have one on hand, any well-fitting mask would likely help reduce some of the particles potentially inhaled into the lungs;
• If you are indoors, close windows and circulate indoor air with a fan or air conditioner. 

The Maine CDC Asthma Prevention and Control Program has asthma information available here.

For more information on asthma control visit epa.gov/asthma to find information about asthma triggers and lessons on asthma management.

Health information for smoke impacted areas is available here.