First published Oct 21, 2026, 9:36:15 PM UTC · Last updated Oct 21, 2026, 9:36:15 PM UTC

Heavy satellite-observed smoke area centered at 34.957°N, 79.828°W — Near Rockingham, NC, United States

NOAA HMS classified smoke near Rockingham, North Carolina, as heavy density, based on GOES-EAST observations from 17:00 to 20:00 UTC on October 21, 2026. The record describes smoke extent, not ground-level air quality or a health alert.

At a glance

Affected location: Near Rockingham, North Carolina

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Why it matters

It documents a satellite-observed smoke area without reporting a ground-level air-quality measurement or health alert.

Location

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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: 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 34.957°N, 79.828°W — Near Rockingham, NC, United StatesNOAA/NESDIS Hazard Mapping System (HMS) Usage terms

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

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Heavy satellite-observed smoke area centered at 35.070°N, 79.276°W — Near Fort Bragg, NC, United StatesOct 21, 2026, 5:00 PM UTC
NOAA HMS classified a satellite-observed smoke area near Fort Bragg, North Carolina, as heavy density; the observation ran from 17:00 to 20:00 UTC on October 21, 2026. The source states that this is an observed smoke extent, not a ground-level air-quality measurement or health alert.
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A medium-density smoke area was observed by satellite near Wolf Pit, North Carolina. The source says this is an observed smoke extent, not a ground-level air-quality measurement or health alert.
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GOES-East observed a medium-density smoke area near Ophir, North Carolina, between 17:00 and 20:00 UTC on October 21, 2026. The report describes satellite-observed smoke, not a ground-level air-quality measurement or health alert.
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Medium satellite-observed smoke area centered at 34.975°N, 79.285°W — Near Blue Springs, NC, United StatesOct 21, 2026, 5:00 PM UTC
NOAA HMS classified the satellite-observed smoke as medium density, with observations from 17:00 to 20:00 UTC on 21 October 2026. The source states this is smoke extent, not a ground-level air-quality measurement or health alert.
Nearby · within 200 km
Medium satellite-observed smoke area centered at 35.090°N, 79.299°W — Near Fort Bragg, NC, United StatesOct 21, 2026, 3:00 PM UTC
2 reports describing the same event are grouped here. Expand the group to review every source report.
Nearby · within 200 km
Medium satellite-observed smoke area centered at 35.471°N, 79.944°W — Near Ophir, NC, United StatesOct 21, 2026, 3:00 PM UTC
2 reports describing the same event are grouped here. Expand the group to review every source report.

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