First published Oct 18, 2026, 11:01:16 PM UTC · Last updated Oct 18, 2026, 11:01:16 PM UTC

Medium satellite-observed smoke area centered at 46.208°N, 118.088°W — Near Waitsburg, WA, United States

NOAA HMS classified the satellite-observed smoke area as medium density, based on GOES-East observations from 17:00 to 20:00 UTC on October 18, 2026. The source states this is an observed smoke extent, not a ground-level air-quality measurement or health alert.

At a glance

Affected location: Near Waitsburg, Washington, United States

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Why it matters

It records a satellite-observed smoke extent while explicitly distinguishing it from ground-level air-quality data and a 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: 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: 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: 3/10How 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 46.208°N, 118.088°W — Near Waitsburg, WA, 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.

Nearby · within 200 km
Medium satellite-observed smoke area centered at 46.524°N, 118.195°W — Near Waitsburg, WA, United StatesOct 18, 2026, 5:00 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 45.305°N, 116.357°W — Near Pollock, ID, United StatesOct 18, 2026, 5:00 PM UTC
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Nearby · within 200 km
Heavy satellite-observed smoke area centered at 47.074°N, 117.482°W — Near Thornton, WA, United StatesOct 16, 2026, 8:00 PM UTC
NOAA HMS classified a satellite-observed smoke area near Thornton, Washington, as heavy density. The source says this is not a ground-level air-quality measurement or health alert.
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Medium satellite-observed smoke area centered at 47.155°N, 117.415°W — Near Rosalia, WA, United StatesOct 16, 2026, 8:00 PM UTC
NOAA HMS classified a satellite-observed smoke area near Rosalia, Washington, as medium density. 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 46.843°N, 117.515°W — Near Lacrosse, WA, United StatesOct 15, 2026, 8:00 PM UTC
NOAA HMS classified a satellite-observed smoke area near Lacrosse, Washington, as heavy density, based on GOES-EAST observations from 20:00 to 23:30 UTC on October 15, 2026. The source says this is an observed smoke extent, not a ground-level air-quality measurement or health alert.
Nearby · within 200 km
Medium satellite-observed smoke area centered at 46.481°N, 119.336°W — Near Usdoe Hanford Site, WA, United StatesOct 15, 2026, 8:00 PM UTC
NOAA HMS classified the satellite-observed smoke area near the Hanford Site as medium density, based on GOES-EAST observations from 2026-10-15 20:00 to 23:30 UTC. The source states this is an observed smoke extent, not a ground-level air-quality measurement or health alert.

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