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Tens of thousands of people have been evacuated from the Bordeaux region of the Gironde region to prevent wildfires burning in an unprecedented “pyrocumulonimbus” or cloud of fire.
Scientists sometimes describe these clouds as fire-generated thunderstorms because the fire itself provides the energy needed to build the cloud.
The high amount of heat generated by wildfires The air above the fire rises quickly, carrying smoke, ash and water vapor into the atmosphere.
As the air rises, it cools and water vapor condenses into clouds.
If the fire is strong enough and the atmosphere is unstable, that cloud can grow into a high cumulonimbus – a similar type of cloud. Associated with thunder.
Turbulent storms created by fire clouds send flames in all directions, making wildfires unpredictable and difficult to fight. Lightning strikes can cause more fires.
