The growing Line Fire that began on Thursday in Highland in San Bernardino County has created dangerous weather conditions for firefighters.
Pyrocumulus clouds, which often form during very hot surface conditions, have developed due to the Line Fire, the National Weather Surface reported on Saturday.
These clouds, also referred to as pyroCbs, are often created during extremely hot or large fires, and can create dangerous conditions for firefighters, who may encounter gusty winds, lightning, and even rain, the weather agency stated.
At 6:30 p.m. Saturday, the weather service recorded over 3,700 lightning strikes inside the clouds directly over the Line Fire. There were also 280 ground strikes, weather officials stated.
‘PyroCbs act as giant chimneys’
Dr. David Peterson, a meteorologist at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory , shared his expertise on pyrocumulonimbus clouds.
“When atmospheric conditions are right, wildfires can create their own weather — monstrous fire-induced thunderstorms called pyrocumulonimbus clouds, or pyroCb for short,” Dr. Peterson said.