Occurred Oct 20, 2026, 8:00:00 PM UTC

First published Oct 21, 2026, 2:09:15 AM UTC · Last updated Oct 21, 2026, 2:09:15 AM UTC

Medium satellite-observed smoke area centered at 48.839°N, 114.187°W — Near Essex, MT, United States

NOAA HMS classified the satellite-observed smoke area near Essex, Montana, as medium density. The observation is not a ground-level air-quality measurement or health alert.

At a glance

Affected location: Essex, Montana, United States

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Why it matters

It documents a smoke extent without establishing ground-level air quality or 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).
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 48.839°N, 114.187°W — Near Essex, MT, 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 48.794°N, 114.250°W — Near Essex, MT, United StatesOct 20, 2026, 8:00 PM UTC
NOAA HMS classified a satellite-observed smoke area near Essex, Montana, as heavy density, with observations from 2026-10-20T20:00:00Z to 2026-10-20T23:30:00Z. It 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 48.727°N, 115.813°W — Near Troy, MT, United StatesOct 20, 2026, 8:00 PM UTC
NOAA HMS classified a satellite-observed smoke area near Troy, Montana, as heavy density. GOES-EAST observed it from 2026-10-20 20:00 to 23:30 UTC; the source says this is not a ground-level air-quality measurement or health alert.
Nearby · within 200 km
Medium satellite-observed smoke area centered at 48.723°N, 115.721°W — Near Troy, MT, United StatesOct 20, 2026, 8:00 PM UTC
A medium-density smoke area was observed by satellite near Troy, Montana, during the stated observation window. The source clarifies that 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 48.743°N, 114.230°W — Near Essex, MT, United StatesOct 20, 2026, 5:00 PM UTC
NOAA HMS classified smoke detected by GOES-EAST near Essex, Montana, as heavy density during the reported observation period. The source says this is not a ground-level air-quality measurement or health alert.
Nearby · within 200 km
Heavy satellite-observed smoke area centered at 48.591°N, 116.034°W — Near Troy, MT, United StatesOct 20, 2026, 5:00 PM UTC
NOAA satellite analysis classified the observed smoke as heavy density during a three-hour observation period on October 20, 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 48.763°N, 114.170°W — Near Essex, MT, United StatesOct 20, 2026, 5:00 PM UTC
Satellite observations classified the smoke area as medium density during the reported observation period. The source says this is not a ground-level air-quality measurement or health alert.

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