Scientists in the United States have been flying directly into the smoke plumes of wildfires to investigate how these fires generate intense thunderstorm systems. Using a Gulfstream V aircraft equipped with specialized measuring instruments, researchers are studying pyrocumulonimbus clouds – clouds formed by the intense heat of wildfires. This year’s 11 research flights have provided rare insights into these relatively unexplored atmospheric phenomena. The goal is to better understand the complex interactions between wildfires and storm development. Data collected will contribute to improved forecasting and potential mitigation strategies. The research focuses on the specific processes that lead to the formation of severe weather from wildfire-induced clouds, a growing concern with increasing fire activity. Ultimately, this research hopes to deepen our understanding of how wildfires impact regional weather patterns.