NASA-backed Flight to Sample Giant Wildfire ‘Fire Clouds’ Launches from Colorado

In Broomfield, Colorado, a Gulfstream V is undergoing final checks before embarking on the inaugural flight of the Injected Smoke and Pyrocumulonimbus Experiment (INSPYRE). The plane will fly to active wildfires in Oregon to directly sample the interior of towering pyrocumulonimbus clouds—massive fire-driven storms that can loft smoke into the stratosphere. Scientists such as atmospheric chemist Teresa Campos and project lead David Peterson say these clouds may influence regional weather, ozone depletion and global climate, yet little is known about their formation or frequency.

The campaign, coordinated by NCAR, NASA and the US Navy, will also use a high-altitude NASA jet equipped with infrared sensors, while ground teams deploy mobile radars and weather balloons to track cloud conditions. Over 150 researchers from U.S. universities and federal agencies are participating, with field work scheduled through 10 September and additional flights planned for next year.