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Greenwood fire creates its own Pyrocumulus clouds

Smoke and heat generated by the northeastern Minnesota wildfire rose into the sky Tuesday, creating a unique weather system.

ISABELLA, Minn. — The expanding Greenwood Fire is impacting thousands of acres across the landscape of northeastern Minnesota.

But in truth, it's making a mark on the atmosphere above as well.

On Tuesday, the most volatile day of fire behavior so far, the wildfire doubled in size and increased in intensity, creating a unique weather phenomena that could be seen for miles. 

Joe Thorne shared an amazing image with KARE 11 that captures a Pyrocumulus cloud formed above the fire zone. Meteorologist Ben Dery says it's far more than just a bunch of smoke... A Pyrocumulus cloud, also referred to as a fire cloud, is formed when a wildfire creates:  

  • a lot of heat
  • atmospheric instability
  • small amounts of moisture in the air

Ben explains that as a fire grows in size and intensity smoke and heat rise into the sky, and aided by instability and a bit of moisture from the air they condense and form a cloud. 

A Pyrocumulus cloud is actually a small weather system that can produce lightning and even rain. 

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