Expires:202410050400;Remove:202410050400;710881 WWUS81 KCAR 041537 SPSCAR Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Caribou ME 1137 AM EDT Fri Oct 4 2024 MEZ015-016-029-050400- Southern Penobscot-Interior Hancock-Coastal Hancock- Including the cities of Bangor, Brewer, Orono, Old Town, Amherst, Aurora, Dedham, Eastbrook, Great Pond, Ellsworth, Bar Harbor, Bucksport, Orland, and Castine 1137 AM EDT Fri Oct 4 2024 ...AIR QUALITY UPDATE... The Air Quality Alert for the Eastern Interior and Mid-Coast regions has been discontinued for today, Friday Oct 4. The forecast is Moderate for the day. However, fires are not easily predictable and intermittent flareups could happen. Those in towns near the Orrington fire and within the Penobscot River Valley should pay attention. There could be sporadic hours with higher values. If you smell smoke, anyone with a respiratory or heart disease, children, teenagers and the elderly should limit prolonged exertion. Asthmatics should follow their action plans. Watch for shortness of breath or heart palpitations. A toll free air quality hotline has been established so Maine residents can stay informed on the air quality situations. The toll free number is: 1-800-223-1196. Additionally the Maine Department of Environmental Protection has the air quality forecast available on the web at www.maine.gov/dep/air/aqforecast. $$