# NASA wildfire-generated cloud research

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/nasa-wildfire-generated-cloud-research
> Updated: 2026-08-10T17:45:00.000Z. Sources: 3. Developments: 2.

NASA has initiated research programs to study pyrocumulonimbus clouds, which are hazardous storm formations generated by extreme wildfire heat and smoke. 

Initially, NASA announced the INSPYRE experiment, a summer program involving ER-2 and WB-57 aircraft designed to collect real-time data via infrared sensors and ground-based radar to improve forecasting for firefighters and communities. 

This research expanded to include operations in British Columbia, where NASA utilized high-altitude ER-2 aircraft to collect data on the Pear Lake wildfire. These studies aim to understand storms capable of producing lightning, rain, and fire tornadoes. Concurrently, Canadian authorities are working toward the WildFireSat project, which intends to launch a constellation of 10 small satellites by 2029 to provide space-based wildfire monitoring.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-10: NASA aircraft studies wildfire-generated clouds in British Columbia

NASA is using high-altitude ER-2 aircraft to study dangerous wildfire-generated clouds in British Columbia, while Canada advances its WildFireSat satellite constellation project for 2029.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nasa-aircraft-studies-wildfire-generated-clouds-in-british-columbia

### 2026-07-22: U.S. Storms Disrupt Flights While NASA Plans Wildfire‑Cloud Research

East‑coast thunderstorms halted thousands of flights on July 22, 2026, while NASA readied summer aircraft missions to study wildfire‑generated storm clouds in the western U.S.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-storms-disrupt-flights-while-nasa-plans-wildfirecloud-research

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Cite as: NASA wildfire-generated cloud research. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/nasa-wildfire-generated-cloud-research