Occurred Oct 13, 2026, 5:00:00 PM UTC

First published Oct 14, 2026, 1:43:15 AM UTC · Last updated Oct 14, 2026, 1:43:15 AM UTC

Heavy satellite-observed smoke area centered at 36.675°N, 87.429°W — Near Oak Grove, KY, United States

NOAA HMS classified the satellite-observed smoke as heavy density, with GOES-East observations spanning 17:00–20:00 UTC on October 13, 2026. The source states this is an observed extent, not a ground-level air-quality measurement or health alert.

Illustrative image: Portland Canal just above McAlpine Locks. "Robert Greene" starting to shove into 1200-foot lock. Alco diesels often release a plume of smoke (the "Alco salute") when they are revved from idle. . Twin screw towboat "Robert Greene" (doc. # 619977, length 145 feet, breadth 48 feet, Alco 16-251F diesels, 6200 hp). Built 1980 by Jeffboat, Inc. , Jeffersonville, Indiana . Owned by American Commercial Barge Line , Jeffersonville. The boat is named for Robert W. Greene III , president of Jeffboat from 1 — William Alden from Louisville, Kentucky, USA/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0

Why it matters

The source documents a heavy-density smoke extent but provides no 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: 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: 2/10The scale or severity of the real-world impact, from minor (1) to extreme (10).
Positivity: 4/10How 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).

Primary official sources

NOAA HMS Smoke Detection Heavy satellite-observed smoke area centered at 36.675°N, 87.429°W — Near Oak Grove, KY, United StatesNOAA/NESDIS Hazard Mapping System (HMS) Usage terms

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