NASA uses modified U-2 aircraft to study wildfire-generated storms

NASA is utilizing a modified U-2 spy plane, known as the ER-2, to investigate pyrocumulonimbus storms—massive thunderstorms triggered by the intense heat of wildfires. The aircraft serves as a flying laboratory, equipped with scientific instruments instead of military hardware to study these unpredictable meteorological phenomena.

David A. Peterson, a meteorologist at the Naval Research Laboratory and lead investigator for the INjected Smoke and PYRocumulonimbus Experiment (INSPYRE), describes the process as a chimney effect. Smoke from a fire is pushed upward through a vertical column, creating a warm bubble that triggers severe thunderstorms capable of producing lightning, high winds, and fire tornadoes.

Recent findings indicate these fire-generated systems can reach the stratosphere, similar to volcanic eruptions, allowing smoke to be transported rapidly by jet stream winds. The INSPYRE mission has already conducted flights over active wildfires in northern Oregon and western Canada to better understand these erratic weather patterns.