Parts of Maine are under an air quality advisory due to a fire at the waste disposal facility

Maine (WABI) – The Maine Department of Environmental Protection's Office of Air Quality has issued an air quality alert for particulate pollution.

The warning is valid until Saturday at 12 p.m.

They say smoke from the Eagle Point Energy Center in Orrington caused particulate pollution to rise to unhealthy levels
The area for sensitive groups is open on Thursday morning.

The department says smoke is more likely
highest near the facility and in the Penobscot River Valley, but all
Surrounding areas could also be affected.

The areas included in the warning are:

Southern Penobscot, Interior Hancock, Central Washington, Coastal Hancock, Interior Waldo, Sagadahoc, Lincoln, Knox and Coastal Waldo.

These include the cities of Bangor, Brewer, Orono, Old Town, Amherst,
Aurora, Dedham, Eastbrook, Great Pond, Calais, Grand Lake Stream,
Wesley, Princeton, Ellsworth, Bar Harbor, Bucksport, Orland,
Castine, Brooks, Jackson, Knox, Liberty, Montville, Morrill, Waldo, Winterport, Unity, Arrowsic, Bath, Phippsburg, Bowdoinham, Topsham, Bowdoin, Whitefield, Dresden, Alna, Bremen, Bristol, Damariscotta, Newcastle, Boothbay Harbor, Wiscasset , Waldoboro, Owls Head, Rockland, Appleton, Camden, Hope, Rockport, Thomaston, Belfast, Northport, Searsmont and Lincolnville.

The Maine DEP recommends people limit strenuous physical activity outdoors to reduce the risk of adverse health effects.

They say people who may be particularly sensitive to the effects of elevated pollution levels include the very young, the elderly, people with pre-existing breathing problems such as asthma, people with heart disease and anyone who works hard outdoors.

According to the DEP, you should consider limiting the intensity and duration of your outdoor activities if you experience symptoms such as shortness of breath, cough, throat irritation or an uncomfortable feeling in your chest.

A toll-free air quality hotline has been launched in Maine
Residents can stay informed about the air quality situation. The toll
The toll free number is: 1-800-223-1196.

For more information click here.

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