First published 10/9/2026, 2:52:15 AM UTC · Last updated 10/9/2026, 2:52:15 AM UTC

Heavy satellite-observed smoke area centered at 29.634°N, 93.904°W — Near Port Arthur, TX, United States

NOAA HMS classified the satellite-observed smoke area as heavy density. The record says this is not a ground-level air-quality measurement or health alert.

Illustrative image: Ch-47 Chinook Helicopter crew chief looks out toward the plume of smoke. Texas National Guard crews launched out of the Austin Army Aviation Facility to fight wild fires threatening homes and property near Bastrop, Texas, September 6, 2011. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Malcolm McClendon — The National Guard/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Why it matters

The record distinguishes an observed smoke extent from a ground-level air-quality measurement or health alert.

Location

Categories: environment-and-climate

Generated scores

Scores are based on the cited reporting and use a 1–10 scale. Read the methodology.

Confidence: 6/10How certain the assessment is based on the clarity and evidence in the cited reporting.
Geographic reach: 1/10How widely the event reaches, from a local area (1) to worldwide impact (10).
Global importance: 3/10The event's broader significance, from limited importance (1) to major global importance (10).
Impact magnitude: 2/10The scale or severity of the real-world impact, from minor (1) to extreme (10).
Positivity: 3/10How harmful or beneficial the event is, from strongly harmful (1) to strongly positive (10).
Urgency: 2/10How time-sensitive the event is, from low urgency (1) to immediate attention needed (10).

Sources

Primary official sourceHeavy satellite-observed smoke area centered at 29.634°N, 93.904°W — Near Port Arthur, TX, United StatesNOAA/NESDIS Hazard Mapping System (HMS) Usage terms

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