Occurred Oct 21, 2026, 5:00:00 PM UTC

First published Oct 22, 2026, 1:43:15 AM UTC · Last updated Oct 22, 2026, 1:43:15 AM UTC

Medium satellite-observed smoke area centered at 35.423°N, 79.961°W — Near Ophir, NC, United States

NOAA HMS classified a GOES-East satellite-observed smoke extent near Ophir, North Carolina, as medium density during the stated observation period. The record describes smoke extent, not ground-level air quality or a health alert.

At a glance

Affected location: Ophir, North Carolina

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Why it matters

It documents a remotely observed smoke feature while distinguishing it from a local air-quality reading or health warning.

Location

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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: 2/10How 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 35.423°N, 79.961°W — Near Ophir, NC, United StatesNOAA/NESDIS Hazard Mapping System (HMS) Usage terms

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Related developments reported in the last 30 days. These are not necessarily ongoing incidents.

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Medium satellite-observed smoke area centered at 34.683°N, 79.264°W — Near Pembroke, NC, United StatesOct 21, 2026, 8:00 PM UTC
NOAA HMS classified a satellite-observed smoke area near Pembroke, North Carolina, as medium density. The source describes observed smoke extent, not ground-level air quality or a health alert.
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Heavy satellite-observed smoke area centered at 34.957°N, 79.828°W — Near Rockingham, NC, United StatesOct 21, 2026, 5:00 PM UTC
NOAA HMS classified smoke near Rockingham, North Carolina, as heavy density, based on GOES-EAST observations from 17:00 to 20:00 UTC on October 21, 2026. The record describes smoke extent, not ground-level air quality or a health alert.
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Heavy satellite-observed smoke area centered at 35.070°N, 79.276°W — Near Fort Bragg, NC, United StatesOct 21, 2026, 5:00 PM UTC
NOAA HMS classified a satellite-observed smoke area near Fort Bragg, North Carolina, as heavy density; the observation ran from 17:00 to 20:00 UTC on October 21, 2026. The source states that this is an observed smoke extent, not a ground-level air-quality measurement or health alert.
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Medium satellite-observed smoke area centered at 34.884°N, 79.835°W — Near Wolf Pit, NC, United StatesOct 21, 2026, 5:00 PM UTC
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Nearby · within 200 km
Medium satellite-observed smoke area centered at 34.975°N, 79.285°W — Near Blue Springs, NC, United StatesOct 21, 2026, 5:00 PM UTC
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Nearby · within 200 km
Medium satellite-observed smoke area centered at 35.090°N, 79.299°W — Near Fort Bragg, NC, United StatesOct 21, 2026, 3:00 PM UTC
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