Storms of fire-breathing smoke that pierce the atmosphere deeply
Some wildfires have produced thunderstorm clouds that can breathe fire, while others have spread palls of smoke across vast regions of North America.
These pyrocumulonimbus clouds, or pyroCbs, are a visually striking reminder of just how intense wildfire activity can go, as shown in the image above and others that follow. However, there are other reasons why they are important.
PyroCbs have the ability to shoot lightning bolts skyward, starting new wildfires. They can also propel smoke into the stratosphere, which is five to seven miles above Earth’s surface, and aid in the widespread dispersion of dangerous particulate pollution. Recent studies have demonstrated that the smoke in this area might truly affect the global climate.
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