Unlike Most of New England, Here’s Why Maine Isn’t Seeing That Dystopian Orange Sky From Canada’s Wildfires
Editor's note: This article was written by a Townsquare Media Northern New England contributor and may contain the individual's views, opinions, or personal experiences.
We've all seen the photos, especially of New York City looking totally apocalyptic as that thick, hazardous orange haze disrupts the lives of millions of us in the northeast and New England. So why is Maine literally in the clear, while the rest of New England and the Northeast are suffering? I mean, the Canadian wildfires are from eastern Canada.
Well, according to News Center Maine, the fire particles causing this dramatic, off-the-charts pollution can't enter Maine because of what's called an "upper-low" jet stream. That jet stream is totally at a standstill, parked right over Maine. So, Mainers and vacationers can thank Mother Nature for blocking the smoke, since that jet stream is all clogged up and hovering without movement for now.
WABI says that the Maine Department of Environmental Protection states it perfectly. This low-pressure system is acting as a buffer and protecting the Pine Tree State from the smoke. The funny thing is this is the same system that took away those summer temperatures, making Maine and the rest of the region feel like fall with plenty of on-and-off rain for days.
For areas dealing with poor air quality, the American Lung Association has provided tips to avoid lung irritations and health complications. Those tips include staying indoors to avoid breathing smoke, ashes, and other pollutants in the area. It's also important to keep doors, windows, and fireplace dampers shut.
According to CBS News, the weather driving the great Canadian-American smoke out is this same low-pressure system over Maine and Nova Scotia. It just happens to be at a standstill there. As for the billowing, smoky blanket everywhere else, it will most likely never affect Maine either, while presenting challenges for everyone else. So yes, be prepared to see more dystopian-looking photos for a bit, just not in Vacationland.
If you want any info around this hazardous air quality, click here for more info from the American Lung Association.