First published 10/4/2026, 2:58:15 PM · Last updated 10/4/2026, 2:58:15 PM

Heavy satellite-observed smoke area centered at 41.581°N, 122.397°W

NOAA HMS classified the satellite-observed smoke area as heavy density, based on GOES-EAST observations from 2026-10-03 17:00 to 20:00 UTC. The source says this is an observed smoke extent, not a ground-level air-quality measurement or health alert.

Illustrative image: This ECOSTRESS observation shows the burn area and smoke plume created by the Apple fire that was raging in Southern California on Aug. 1, 2020. — NASA/JPL-Caltech/NASA Image and Video Library, NASA Media Usage Guidelines

Categories: environment-and-climate

Generated scores

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

Confidence: 5/10How 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: 3/10How 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).

Why it matters

It documents a heavy-density smoke extent while distinguishing satellite observation from ground-level air quality.

Location

Sources

Heavy satellite-observed smoke area centered at 41.581°N, 122.397°WNOAA/NESDIS Hazard Mapping System (HMS) Usage terms

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