Aroostook County Action Program

Temperatures in Maine are still summer-like, but advocates say high heating costs and an expected decline in federal aid are creating concerns about the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program ahead of this winter.

Community action programs around Maine are bracing for what they believe will be a sizeable increase in the number of Mainers calling for emergency fuel this winter, as heating assistance funds won't stretch as far due to high energy costs.

As the federal shutdown continues, some higher-income federal employees are seeking help from aid programs, such as the federal heating and energy…