First published Oct 20, 2026, 11:17:16 PM UTC · Last updated Oct 20, 2026, 11:17:16 PM UTC

Medium satellite-observed smoke area centered at 33.956°N, 78.510°W — Near Shallotte, NC, United States

NOAA HMS classified the satellite-observed smoke area near Shallotte, North Carolina, as medium density, based on GOES-EAST observations from 2026-10-20T17:00Z to 20:00Z. The source states this is not a ground-level air-quality measurement or health alert.

At a glance

Affected location: Near Shallotte, North Carolina, United States

Share this event

Follow: Events in United States

Manage follows

Why it matters

It records a satellite-observed smoke extent but does not establish ground-level air quality or a 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: 8/10How 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: 2/10The 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: 1/10How time-sensitive the event is, from low urgency (1) to immediate attention needed (10).

Primary official sources

NOAA HMS Smoke Detection Medium satellite-observed smoke area centered at 33.956°N, 78.510°W — Near Shallotte, NC, 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
Heavy satellite-observed smoke area centered at 35.374°N, 79.828°W — Near Star, NC, United StatesOct 15, 2026, 5:00 PM UTC
NOAA HMS classified a satellite-observed smoke area near Star, North Carolina, as heavy density. The source states this is not a ground-level air-quality measurement or health alert.
Nearby · within 200 km
Heavy satellite-observed smoke area centered at 35.373°N, 79.836°W — Near Troy, NC, United StatesOct 15, 2026, 3:00 PM UTC
2 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 35.376°N, 79.831°W — Near Star, NC, United StatesOct 15, 2026, 3:00 PM UTC
2 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 34.868°N, 76.967°W — Near Havelock, NC, United StatesOct 14, 2026, 8:10 PM UTC
NOAA HMS classified a satellite-observed smoke area near Havelock, North Carolina, as medium density. The observation period was 2026-10-14 20:10–23:30 UTC; it is not a ground-level air-quality measurement or health alert.
Nearby · within 200 km
Medium satellite-observed smoke area centered at 34.910°N, 77.355°W — Near White Oak, NC, United StatesOct 14, 2026, 5:10 PM UTC
Satellite data classified the smoke extent as medium density during an observation period of nearly three hours. The mapped extent is not a surface-level air-quality reading or health advisory.
Nearby · within 200 km
Special Marine Warning for waters from Cape Lookout to Surf City, North CarolinaOct 11, 2026, 8:12 PM UTC
The National Weather Service issued a Special Marine Warning for offshore waters from Cape Lookout to Surf City, North Carolina, until 5:00 p.m. EDT. Severe thunderstorms capable of producing waterspouts and wind gusts of 34 knots or greater were reported, with boaters instructed to seek safe harbor immediately.

Loading related developments…

Explore events in united states