How fire clouds form during major wildfires

A major wildfire in southwest France has produced the country’s first recorded pyrocumulonimbus cloud, a type of firedriven thundercloud that is more commonly seen in Canada during wildfire season. These clouds form when intense heat from a fire lifts smoke, moisture, and embers high into the atmosphere. As the air cools, the water vapour condenses, and the cloud can grow into a towering system that resembles a thunderstorm. Pyrocumulonimbus clouds can make wildfires more dangerous by creating strong winds, lightning, and poor visibility for firefighters. They can also send smoke and ash high into the atmosphere, where it may travel long distances.