First published Oct 20, 2026, 11:23:15 PM UTC · Last updated Oct 20, 2026, 11:23:15 PM UTC

Heavy satellite-observed smoke area centered at 32.679°N, 85.344°W — Near Opelika, AL, United States

NOAA HMS classified the satellite-observed smoke extent as heavy density, observed by GOES-East during the stated three-hour period. The source says this is not a ground-level air-quality measurement or health alert.

At a glance

Affected location: Near Opelika, Alabama, United States

Share this event

Follow: Events in United States

Manage follows

Why it matters

The source records a heavy-density smoke observation but provides no ground-level air-quality reading 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: 6/10How certain the assessment is based on the clarity and evidence in the cited reporting.
Geographic reach: 2/10How 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).
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 32.679°N, 85.344°W — Near Opelika, 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
Heavy satellite-observed smoke area centered at 31.059°N, 85.883°W — Near Geneva, 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 2026-10-20 17:00 to 20:00 UTC. The source states this is not a ground-level air-quality measurement or health alert.
Nearby · within 200 km
Heavy satellite-observed smoke area centered at 31.838°N, 85.305°W — Near Eufaula, AL, United StatesOct 20, 2026, 5:00 PM UTC
NOAA HMS classified the satellite-observed smoke as heavy density; GOES-EAST observed it from 17:00 to 20:00 UTC on October 20, 2026. The source says this is an observed smoke extent, 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 31.601°N, 85.504°W — Near Skipperville, AL, United StatesOct 20, 2026, 5:00 PM UTC
NOAA HMS classified the satellite-observed smoke area near Skipperville, Alabama, as heavy density, with observations from 17:00 to 20:00 UTC on October 20, 2026. The source states this is an observed smoke extent, not a ground-level air-quality measurement or health alert.
Nearby · within 200 km
Heavy satellite-observed smoke area centered at 32.161°N, 85.469°W — Near Midway, AL, United StatesOct 20, 2026, 5:00 PM UTC
A satellite observation identified a heavy-density smoke area near Midway, Alabama, during a three-hour observation period on October 20, 2026. The observation is not a ground-level air-quality measurement or health alert.
Nearby · within 200 km
Heavy satellite-observed smoke area centered at 31.010°N, 86.130°W — Near Samson, AL, United StatesOct 20, 2026, 5:00 PM UTC
NOAA HMS classified a satellite-observed smoke area near Samson, Alabama, as heavy density. The source states this is an observed smoke extent, not a ground-level air-quality measurement or health alert.

Loading related developments…

Explore events in united states