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

First published Oct 19, 2026, 3:08:15 AM UTC · Last updated Oct 19, 2026, 3:08:15 AM UTC

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

NOAA HMS classified a satellite-observed smoke area near Waitsburg, Washington, as medium density. The source states this is not a ground-level air-quality measurement or health alert.

At a glance

Affected location: Near Waitsburg, Washington, United States

Share this event

Follow: Events in United States

Manage follows

Why it matters

The observation identifies a medium-density smoke extent near Waitsburg without reporting ground-level air quality.

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: 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).
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

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 46.105°N, 118.192°W — Near Waitsburg, WA, United StatesOct 18, 2026, 8:00 PM UTC
NOAA HMS classified a satellite-observed smoke area near Waitsburg, Washington, as heavy density, observed by GOES-EAST from 2026-10-18 20:00 to 23:30 UTC. The source states this is not a ground-level air-quality measurement or health alert.
Nearby · within 200 km
Medium satellite-observed smoke area centered at 46.247°N, 118.225°W — Near Waitsburg, WA, United StatesOct 18, 2026, 8:00 PM UTC
NOAA HMS classified a satellite-observed smoke area near Waitsburg, Washington, as medium density, observed by GOES-EAST from 20:00 to 23:30 UTC on October 18, 2026. The source clarifies 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 45.324°N, 116.350°W — Near Pollock, ID, United StatesOct 18, 2026, 8:00 PM UTC
NOAA HMS classified the satellite-detected smoke as heavy density based on GOES-East observations from 20:00 to 23:30 UTC on October 18, 2026. The record describes smoke extent, not ground-level air quality or a health alert.
Nearby · within 200 km
Medium satellite-observed smoke area centered at 44.454°N, 118.276°W — Near Unity, OR, United StatesOct 18, 2026, 8:00 PM UTC
NOAA HMS classified the satellite-observed smoke as medium density, with GOES-EAST observations from 2026-10-18T20:00:00Z to 23:30:00Z. The source states 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 46.524°N, 118.195°W — Near Waitsburg, WA, United StatesOct 18, 2026, 5:00 PM UTC
3 reports describing the same event are grouped here. Expand the group to review every source report.
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.

Loading related developments…

Explore events in united states