Clouds created by wildfire are called pyrocumulus, which means "fire cloud." If the fire is big enough it will create pyrocumulonimbus, which means "fire storm cloud." “While they can bring rain which can help in fighting the fire, they also can bring dry lightning which can start new fires,” Root said.

Does fire make its own weather?

Large wildfires are becoming more frequent as the planet warms and the heat, smoke, and gases they generate add to climate change. What is less well known is they can create their own weather. In 2021, California's Dixie Fire generated its own giant storm clouds, lightning, and fiery whirlwinds.

What happens when it rains after a fire?

Flooding after fire is often more severe, as debris and ash left from the fire can form mudflows. As rainwater moves across charred and denuded ground, it can also pick up soil and sediment and carry it in a stream of floodwaters. These mudflows can cause significant damage.