Wildfires creating ‘fire clouds' that are further fanning blazes, officials warn
In Arizona, the wind-whipped wildfire that destroyed the Grand Canyon Lodge is 9% contained and has charred more than 164 square miles to become the largest fire now burning in the continental US and one of the top 10 largest in recorded Arizona history.
Advertisement
Another large fire in Monroe, Utah, has burned 75 square miles since July 13 and is 11% contained, officials said on Thursday.
Evacuation orders were issued on Wednesday for several towns in the fire's path, and scorched power poles caused electricity to be shut off in other nearby communities in south-central Utah.
Utah governor Spencer Cox declared an emergency on Thursday as wildfires grew around the state and planned to visit Monroe on Friday.
A wildfire burning near Monroe, Utah (Hurricane Valley Fire District via AP)
Towering convection clouds known as pyrocumulus clouds have been spotted over Arizona's blaze for seven consecutive days, fuelling the fire with dry, powerful winds, fire information officer Lisa Jennings said.
Advertisement
They form when air over the fire becomes superheated and rises in a large smoke column. The giant billowing clouds can be seen for hundreds of miles and can resemble an anvil.
An even greater threat, fire-fuelled thunderstorm known as the pyrocumulonimbus cloud, sent rapid winds shooting in all directions this week as a smoke column formed from the Utah fire then collapsed on itself, fire team information officer Jess Clark said.
'If they get high enough, they can also create downdrafts, and that's something we really watch out for because that can quickly spread the fire and can be very dangerous for firefighters who are doing their work on the ground,' Ms Jennings said.
The National Interagency Fire Centre said on Thursday that even with fewer square miles having burned so far this year than average, many parts of the country remain vulnerable to new starts and fast-moving flames.
Advertisement
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
15 minutes ago
- The Independent
New York bizarrely hit with another earthquake
A second earthquake, measuring magnitude 2.7, struck the New York and New Jersey area on Tuesday afternoon. The tremor's epicentre was located over seven miles below ground in Hillsdale, New Jersey, prompting warnings in New York City. This latest quake follows a magnitude 3.0 tremor that occurred four days prior, on Saturday night, with its epicentre in Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey. Tremors from the earlier quake were reported across all five boroughs of New York City, as well as New Jersey. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) advises residents to be prepared for potential aftershocks and to check for hazards if shaking is felt.
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
The Independent announces the return of its acclaimed Climate 100 List
Increasingly frequently, the world is suffering from more wild fires, flash floods, droughts, and hurricanes, caused by the human-induced climate crisis. Recent data from Nasa revealed a dramatic rise in the intensity of extreme weather events which are happening more regularly, are lasting for a longer period of time and are more severe, such as the LA fires in January that devastated tens of thousands of homes, recent deadly flooding in Beijing, and long heatwaves in the Nordic countries that even reach the Arctic Circle. Across the US, ' heat streaks ' are on the rise, a phenomenon that's seeing an increase in the number of consecutive hot days across its cities, with life-threatening temperatures. It's becoming a pattern as for the second year running, the planet has reached record temperatures, following 2024 becoming the warmest year on record. Alongside the physical extremes on the environment, the effects of the USA's climate-sceptic administration's rollbacks are already being felt. Cuts to overseas aid, which many conservation areas like Zambia's Lower Zambezi National Park rely on, as do vulnerable nations like Malawi who are now struggling to prepare for climate disasters, will have long-lasting and devastating effects. Despite more awareness than ever, the climate crisis is only worsening and it's never felt more urgent to react. The Independent has long been at the forefront of calling for action and change when it comes to the climate, as well as reliably reporting on the severity of the global climate crisis. It's this understanding and commitment to resolving the issues that sees the important return of The Independent' s Climate 100 List. Back for its second year, it will be published again next month, aptly during the United Nations' Summit of the Future in New York, part of the 16th annual Climate Week NYC. The list brings together 100 changemaking and inspiring people to celebrate their contributions in finding positive climate solutions. From around the globe, it includes those who have dedicated their lives to the cause, as well as lesser known newcomers to the movement who need their voices heard and actions seen, across industries as broad as science to activism, food to politics, and business to entertainment, to name a few. We want to continue to celebrate their courage, innovation and much-needed efforts in paving the way for a cleaner and greener future for the next generation. The unveiling of the list will also align with the Climate 100 event held in New York, hosted by The Independent 's Editor-in-Chief, Geordie Greig, bringing together global changemakers, business leaders, scientists, policymakers, and activists. Geordie Grieg, Editor-in-Chief of The Independent, says: 'Now in the second year of Climate 100, we are excited to continue honoring leaders who are not just raising the alarm, but driving the solutions our planet urgently needs.' The list is compiled by a team at The Independent, but as we know three out of four of our readers consider themselves to be environmentally friendly, a key part of the list is the Reader's Choice category, which is returning after last year's success. We're once again asking you, the readers, to get involved and submit your unsung climate hero – someone who has made a significant contribution to protecting the environment through their work and deserves to be properly recognised for it. Perhaps it's a colleague, a classmate, a mentor, a peer or even a friend or family member. Submit your nominations for The Independent 's Climate 100 List using the form below – and stay tuned: the full list lands in mid-September.
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Timelapse shows 72,000 acre Gifford Fire spread as firefighters battle to contain blaze
The Gifford Fire burning across south-central California has now reached 72,000 acres, according to officials, with dramatic timelapse footage showing its spread. Los Padres National Forest officials said 1,930 personnel were assigned to tackle the blaze. The wildfire, fueled by hot, dry conditions and gusty winds, has been burning through parts of the forest in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties since Friday, 1 August. By Monday morning, it had burned nearly 50,000 acres, according to fire officials. Cal Fire said the blaze was five per cent contained just after noon on Monday, 4 August.
