First published Oct 18, 2026, 10:49:15 PM UTC · Last updated Oct 18, 2026, 10:49:15 PM UTC

Heavy satellite-observed smoke area centered at 44.159°N, 118.569°W — Near Prairie City, OR, United States

NOAA’s Hazard Mapping System classified a satellite-observed smoke area as heavy density, based on GOES-East observations from 17:00 to 20:00 UTC on October 18, 2026. Its stated centroid is near Prairie City, Oregon; the observation is not a ground-level air-quality measurement or health alert.

At a glance

Affected location: Near Prairie City, Oregon, United States

Share this event

Follow: Events in United States

Manage follows

Why it matters

The item reports a satellite-based smoke observation, not a 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: 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: 2/10How 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 44.159°N, 118.569°W — Near Prairie City, OR, 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
Medium satellite-observed smoke area centered at 43.858°N, 118.315°W — Near Drewsey, OR, United StatesOct 18, 2026, 5:00 PM UTC
A medium-density smoke area was observed by satellite near Drewsey, Oregon, from 17:00 to 20:00 UTC on October 18, 2026. The source says this is not a ground-level air-quality measurement or health alert.
Nearby · within 200 km
Medium satellite-observed smoke area centered at 44.160°N, 118.598°W — Near Prairie City, OR, United StatesOct 18, 2026, 5:00 PM UTC
NOAA HMS classified a satellite-observed smoke area near Prairie City, Oregon, as medium density on October 18, 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 44.044°N, 118.754°W — Near Drewsey, OR, United StatesOct 18, 2026, 3:00 PM UTC
3 reports describing the same event are grouped here. Expand the group to review every source report.
Nearby · within 200 km
Heavy satellite-observed smoke area centered at 44.100°N, 118.592°W — Near Prairie City, OR, United StatesOct 18, 2026, 3:00 PM UTC
3 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 43.918°N, 118.379°W — Near Drewsey, OR, United StatesOct 18, 2026, 3:00 PM UTC
3 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 42.829°N, 118.453°W — Near Princeton, OR, United StatesOct 18, 2026, 3:00 PM UTC
3 reports describing the same event are grouped here. Expand the group to review every source report.

Loading related developments…

Explore events in united states