First published 10/9/2026, 2:48:15 AM UTC · Last updated 10/9/2026, 2:48:15 AM UTC

Heavy satellite-observed smoke area centered at 45.965°N, 113.831°W — Near Sula, MT, United States

NOAA HMS classified the satellite-observed smoke near Sula, Montana, as heavy density during observations from 17:00 to 20:00 UTC on October 8, 2026. It is an observed smoke extent, not a ground-level air-quality measurement or health alert.

Why it matters

The observation identifies smoke density and location but does not report ground-level air quality or issue a 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).

Sources

Primary official sourceHeavy satellite-observed smoke area centered at 45.965°N, 113.831°W — Near Sula, MT, United StatesNOAA/NESDIS Hazard Mapping System (HMS) Usage terms

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