Fire Clouds Threaten France Wildfires as 40C Heatwave Looms
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jul 27
Fire Clouds Threaten France Wildfires as 40C Heatwave Looms
2 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jul 27
Summary
Pyrocumulonimbus clouds — fire-generated thunderstorms — are emerging as a new danger over major blazes in France and Spain, with experts warning they can sharply worsen already severe fires.
10-15 km smoke plumes from intense wildfires can rise into the stratosphere, then generate strong winds and lightning that spread flames faster and can ignite new fires farther away.
France may be confronting the phenomenon for the first time, and experts say the clouds signal a fire dangerous enough to justify large evacuations and more unpredictable conditions for crews on the ground.
40C temperatures could hit parts of France from Tuesday as another heatwave builds after months of low rain and successive hot spells, conditions experts link to climate change and to more frequent fire clouds.