Wood Smoke Stories

Polluted air in a small Maine town

In the small town of Orrington, Maine wood and other materials burning is permitted to such an extent that outdoor air quality sensors register harmful elevated particulate matter on what would otherwise be beautiful days. Town residents bulldoze and burn fields and forests, they regularly burn their garbage and many use wood to heat their homes, especially with elevated home heating oil and electricity prices. Town visitors also burn open wood fires for enjoyment.