As California battles its 7th most destructive wildfire in state history, Mendocino County resident Dylan Duarte captured a giant mushroom cloud rising above hills in the distance.
#RanchFire #RiverFire #MendocinoComplex Driving west on Lakeport Boulevard. pic.twitter.com/O1c7QYjRBY— Dylan the Serious News Boy (@dylanduarte) July 29, 2018
Known as a pyrocumulus cloud, the ominous red weather formations usually occur over volcanic eruptions or forest fires when intensely heated air triggers an upward motion that pushes smoke and water vapor to rapidly rise. They can develop their own weather patters, including thunderstorms with severe winds which then further fan the flames.
How crazy is this?— Kimberly Kolliner (@KimberlyKTVL) July 28, 2018
A pyrocumulus cloud formed from the #CarrFire...
If it gets big enough it can create a microclimate, which means more winds and the possibility for lightening.@Milt_Radford @RandiBurnsKTVL@AutumnKTVL
Can you help us understand how these form? pic.twitter.com/PBQx6PDdkw
Other fire-related weather phenomenon was captured by fleeing residents, such as this "fire tornado" in Nevada County, CA.
Incredible video of a fire tunnel cloud from the #CarrFire - courtesy: Strike team from Peardale Chicago Park FPD in Nevada County CA @ABC10 @KRCR7 pic.twitter.com/ZnowpRL5vo— Madison Wade (@madisoncwade) July 27, 2018
There are currently 16 active fires burning across California, sending smoke eastward.
Sobering satellite imagery at sunset this evening depicting (multiple) massive pyrocumulus plumes and widespread smoke coverage across northern California. #CarrFire exploding again, with new fires in Mendocino County (#RanchFire, #RiverFire) and elsewhere. #CAwx#CAfire pic.twitter.com/VbXFUgMzYz— Dr. Daniel Swain (@Weather_West) July 28, 2018
The deadliest of the blazes is the Carr fire, which has killed six people including two firefighters, and destroyed at least 1,236 structures. Over 2,500 structures remain threatened - while the Mendocino Complex fires threaten over 12,000 structures.
The carr fire has burned nearly 110,000 acres and is around 27% contained. Evacuation orders have been lifted for Douglas County and portions of Happy Valley, Redding and Shasta Lake City according to officials.
Meanwhile, firefighters hailing from 16 states are fighting against fatigue as they battle the infernos.
Meanwhile, the air quality in Redding has dropped to dangerous levels, as officials warn the public to stay indoors and wear a mask outside.
Air quality in #Redding and surrounding areas is very poor. Try to stay indoors. If you have to be out, make sure to wear a mask. You can get free masks today at Civic Aud starting 3 pm, thanks to @ShastaHHSA and Lions Club. #CarrFire @CALFIRESHU @ShastaSheriff
Other fires across the state
Several other fires continue to rage across California, including the Ferguson fire which has consumed more than 57,000 acres near Yosemite National Park leading to the closure of the Yosemite Valley, as well as the Cranston fire burning in the San Jacinto mountains east of Los Angeles which has burned over 13,000 acres and is 57% contained.
The cause of the blaze has been attributed to arson. Cal Fire officials arrested Brandon N. McGlover, 32, of Temecula for allegedly setting multiple fires in southwestern Riverside County on July 25, 2018.The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office lifted evacuation orders for the communities of Pine Cove, Fern Valley, Cedar Glen, and portions of Idyllwild outside of the fire perimeter. -Accuweather
"Good work was done on the northeast portion of the fire where the biggest threat to the community persists," officials said Monday.
As more than a dozen major fires roar across the state of California, some of
them have burned so fiercely that they're creating their own weather systems.
Massive pyrocumulus clouds have formed over the Carr, Ferguson, Cranston
and Mendocino Complex fires burning in four different parts of the state
(Shasta County, near Yosemite, Riverside County, and Mendocino
County, respectively).
FIRE TRACKER: See where all the wildfires are burning in California
The so-called "fire clouds" form over volcanic eruptions or forest fires when
an intense heating of the air triggers an upward motion, pushing smoke
and water vapor to rapidly rise. These foreboding clouds can develop
their own weather, even producing thunderstorms with severe winds,
which fan the flames and help the wildfires spread.
One "fire-induced vortex" in Redding caused damage that made it look
like a tornado ripped through the city, downing trees and blowing off
The Ferguson Fire on the outskirts of Yosemite National Park, which has
burned more than 56,000 acres and resulted in two deaths, was 30
percent contained. The Cranston Fire in Southern California was
57 percent contained after burning more than 13,000 acres.
For the most part, pyrocumulus clouds and the weather patterns
they create make it harder for firefighters to extinguish wildfires.
But, as Oustide Online reports, in rare circumstances the
towering clouds can accumulate enough moisture to produce rain,
which can help put out the fires from which they formed.
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