What Are 'Fire Clouds', the Ominous Phenomenon Seen in France?
The giant storm clouds can create their own winds and lightning, making the blazes harder to control, experts said.
- Firefighters battling massive wildfires in France's Gironde region are contending with "fire clouds," or pyrocumulonimbus clouds, that create dangerous wind and lightning conditions near Bordeaux.
- Nasa calls these formations the "fire-breathing dragon of clouds," which occur when intense wildfire heat rises, cools rapidly in the atmosphere, and generates energy capable of spreading blazes further.
- Rick McRae, a senior fire manager for 30 years, said the cloud "is confirmation that the fire is very dangerous," noting these plumes can impact roughly 10,000 cubic kilometres of the atmosphere.
- While common in Australia or California, experts note this phenomenon is new to France, complicating efforts to manage fires that generate their own unpredictable weather systems.
- Forecasters warn another heatwave could hit France from Tuesday, with woodland areas dried out since May and climate models indicating these trends will increase in severity.
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53 Articles
Born in Rennes and domiciled in Vannes, Sergeant-Chief Olivier Lechat is a firefighter in Bordeaux. He lived close to the start of the megafire, in Mérignac, where two of his comrades died, then in Saumos. "Forever seen", according to this experienced firefighter.
The Economic Times
Times of IndiaFrance wildfires create rare ‘fire cloud’ near Bordeaux — what is it?
France's wildfires have generated powerful fire clouds, creating new threats. These pyrocumulonimbus clouds produce their own winds and lightning, complicating firefighting efforts. Hundreds of thousands have been evacuated from their homes during this severe wildfire season. The unpredictable nature of these fire clouds makes evacuation planning more difficult for authorities. This extreme fire-generated weather presents a significant new chall…
Explainer-France has seen its first ‘fire-cloud’. What is it?
By Coralie Lamarque July 28 (Reuters) - France is grappling with an unprecedented fire season that has led to the evacuation of hundreds of thousands of people and dealt a blow to the economy during the peak tourist season. But it's not just the scal...
Explainer-France has seen its first 'fire-cloud'. What is it?
July 28 - France is grappling with an unprecedented fire season that has led to the evacuation of hundreds of thousands of people and dealt a blow to the economy during the peak tourist season. Read more at straitstimes.com.
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