Carr Fire: Massive Blaze Can Produce Dangerous Lightning

REDDING, CA -- Weather conditions could worsen in Northern California as massive wildfires continue to burn, possibly creating pyrocumulus clouds that can produce dangerous, dry lightning, experts said. CNN reported the deadly Carr Fire, which stands at 163,000 acres as of Monday morning, can produce "extreme heat from the flames (which) forces air to rapidly rise."

"As the fire burns trees and other plant life it causes the water inside them to evaporate into the rising air," CNN reported. "This additional moisture in the atmosphere condenses in the cooler air above, on smoke particles also produced by the fire."

Also See: Mendocino Complex Fire Grows To 5th Largest In California History | Utility Worker Dies While Working In Vicinity Of Carr Fire

Greg Forbes, a longtime weather expert for The Weather Channel, elaborated on pyrocumulus clouds in a YouTube video. He explained that the clouds "can grow into thunderstorms."

"When that happens, additional dangers can occur because thunderstorms, of course, have lightning," Forbes said. Sometimes we get dry lightning, which come down from the rain."

Despite the rain, the pyrocumulus clouds can actually spread wildfires further, Forbes said.

The Carr Fire ignited July 23 in Shasta County before making its way to Trinity County, killing at least seven people and destroying 1,500 homes.

More than 4,700 personnel are working to contain the blaze but officials said heavy timber areas and steep drainages are challenging firefighting efforts.

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