Occurred Oct 18, 2026, 5:00:00 PM UTC

First published Oct 19, 2026, 3:07:15 AM UTC · Last updated Oct 19, 2026, 3:07:15 AM UTC

Medium satellite-observed smoke area centered at 38.948°N, 121.741°W — Near Meridian, CA, United States

NOAA HMS classified smoke detected near Meridian, California, as medium density, based on GOES-EAST observations from 17:00 to 20:00 UTC on October 18, 2026. The source clarifies this is an observed smoke extent, not a ground-level air-quality measurement or health alert.

At a glance

Affected location: Near Meridian, California

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Why it matters

It documents a satellite-detected smoke extent while distinguishing it from an air-quality measurement or health alert.

Location

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Generated scores

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

Confidence: 6/10How 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).
Positivity: 4/10How harmful or beneficial the event is, from strongly harmful (1) to strongly positive (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 38.948°N, 121.741°W — Near Meridian, CA, United StatesNOAA/NESDIS Hazard Mapping System (HMS) Usage terms

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Medium satellite-observed smoke area centered at 39.528°N, 122.004°W — Near Glenn, CA, United StatesOct 18, 2026, 8:00 PM UTC
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