Occurred Oct 18, 2026, 5:00:00 PM UTC

First published Oct 19, 2026, 2:54:15 AM UTC · Last updated Oct 19, 2026, 2:54:15 AM UTC

Heavy satellite-observed smoke area centered at 35.370°N, 91.106°W — Near Cow Lake, AR, United States

NOAA HMS classified a satellite-observed smoke area near Cow Lake, Arkansas, as heavy density, observed from 17:00 to 20:00 UTC on October 18, 2026. The source states this is not a ground-level air-quality measurement or health alert.

At a glance

Affected location: Near Cow Lake, Arkansas, United States

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Why it matters

It documents a heavy-density observed smoke extent while clarifying that it does not measure ground-level air quality.

Location

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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).
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 35.370°N, 91.106°W — Near Cow Lake, AR, United StatesNOAA/NESDIS Hazard Mapping System (HMS) Usage terms

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