Occurred Oct 18, 2026, 8:00:00 PM UTC

First published Oct 19, 2026, 3:00:15 AM UTC · Last updated Oct 19, 2026, 3:00:15 AM UTC

Medium satellite-observed smoke area centered at 46.247°N, 118.225°W — Near Waitsburg, WA, United States

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.

At a glance

Affected location: Near Waitsburg, Washington, United States

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Why it matters

It records a medium-density smoke extent while clarifying that it is not 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).
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 46.247°N, 118.225°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
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.
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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.
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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 46.208°N, 118.088°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
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.

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