NASA Pilots Fly Into Wildfire-Generated Storms to Map Dangerous Weather Patterns
A NASA-led research mission is actively flying aircraft into pyrocumulonimbus clouds, the intense thunderstorms generated by large wildfires, to better understand how these fires create their own severe weather. The project, which began in the summer of 2026, involves pilots like Bo LeMay flying Gulfstream V planes directly into these hazardous conditions. This initiative aims to gather data on the unique atmospheric dynamics of fire-driven storms, which are increasingly relevant as wildfire seasons become more intense and unpredictable. By studying these 'fire clouds' from the inside, researchers hope to improve forecasting models and understand the feedback loop between fire intensity and local weather patterns.