Occurred Oct 20, 2026, 8:00:00 PM UTC

First published Oct 21, 2026, 2:07:15 AM UTC · Last updated Oct 21, 2026, 2:07:15 AM UTC

Heavy satellite-observed smoke area centered at 32.288°N, 88.195°W — Near Ward, AL, United States

NOAA HMS classified the observed smoke extent as heavy density, based on GOES-EAST observations from 2026-10-20T20:00:00Z to 2026-10-20T23:30:00Z. The source states this is not a ground-level air-quality measurement or health alert.

At a glance

Affected location: Near Ward, Alabama, United States

Share this event

Follow: Events in United States

Manage follows

Why it matters

It records a satellite-observed smoke extent near Ward, without providing a ground-level air-quality measurement or health alert.

Location

Show nearby reports · last 30 days

Highlighted marker: this event.

Generated scores

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

Confidence: 7/10How 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: 3/10The scale or severity of the real-world impact, from minor (1) to extreme (10).
Urgency: 2/10How time-sensitive the event is, from low urgency (1) to immediate attention needed (10).

Primary official sources

NOAA HMS Smoke Detection Heavy satellite-observed smoke area centered at 32.288°N, 88.195°W — Near Ward, AL, United StatesNOAA/NESDIS Hazard Mapping System (HMS) Usage terms

Report an issue

Read our editorial process and corrections policy.

Continue exploring

Related developments reported in the last 30 days. These are not necessarily ongoing incidents.

Nearby · within 200 km
Medium satellite-observed smoke area centered at 31.563°N, 87.127°W — Near Evergreen, AL, United StatesOct 20, 2026, 8:00 PM UTC
NOAA HMS classified the satellite-observed smoke area near Evergreen, Alabama, as medium density, based on GOES-EAST observations from October 20, 2026. The source notes this is not a ground-level air-quality measurement or health alert.
Nearby · within 200 km
Medium satellite-observed smoke area centered at 33.063°N, 86.275°W — Near Sylacauga, AL, United StatesOct 20, 2026, 8:00 PM UTC
A medium-density smoke area was observed by satellite near Sylacauga, Alabama, during the stated observation period. The source says it is not a ground-level air-quality measurement or health alert.
Nearby · within 200 km
Heavy satellite-observed smoke area centered at 32.290°N, 88.323°W — Near Lisman, AL, United StatesOct 20, 2026, 5:00 PM UTC
The source reports a satellite-observed smoke area near Lisman, Alabama, classified as heavy density. It states that the observation is not a ground-level air-quality measurement or health alert.
Nearby · within 200 km
Heavy satellite-observed smoke area centered at 31.504°N, 88.292°W — Near Chatom, AL, United StatesOct 20, 2026, 5:00 PM UTC
NOAA HMS classified the satellite-observed smoke area as heavy density, based on GOES-EAST observations from 17:00 to 20:00 UTC on October 20, 2026. The source says this is not a ground-level air-quality measurement or health alert.
Nearby · within 200 km
Heavy satellite-observed smoke area centered at 31.833°N, 86.810°W — Near Forest Home, AL, United StatesOct 20, 2026, 5:00 PM UTC
NOAA HMS classified the satellite-observed smoke as heavy density, with observations spanning 17:00–20:00 UTC on October 20, 2026. The mapped extent is not a ground-level air-quality measurement or health alert.
Nearby · within 200 km
Heavy satellite-observed smoke area centered at 32.384°N, 88.047°W — Near York, AL, United StatesOct 20, 2026, 5:00 PM UTC
NOAA classified a satellite-observed smoke area near York, Alabama, as heavy density, observed from 17:00 to 20:00 UTC on October 20, 2026. The source states this is not a ground-level air-quality measurement or health alert.

Loading related developments…

Explore events in united states