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Chasing Fire Clouds in Utah
NASA's INSPYRE mission sampled smoke from Utah's Widemouth 2 fire to study pyrocumulonimbus clouds. This research focuses on how these towering clouds inject particles and gases into the stratosphere.
Why it matters
Better forecasting reduces uncertainty for fire officials organizing evacuations during active wildfires. These clouds also potentially impact Earth's ozone layer and energy budget.
The details
- The GV aircraft sampled Widemouth 2 fire smoke at roughly 12 kilometers altitude.
- Wildfires may contribute up to 25 percent of aerosols in the lower stratosphere.
- At least 13 pyrocumulonimbus events were identified in the continental US during 2026.
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GOES-West is a geostationary operational environmental satellite operated by NOAA.
The ER-2 high-altitude research aircraft is operated by NASA.
David Peterson works at NASA
David Peterson serves as the principal investigator for NASA's INSPYRE mission.
Michael Fromm works at U.S. Naval Research Laboratory
Michael Fromm is a scientist at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory.
NASA is a partner of National Science Foundation
NASA partners with the National Science Foundation and NCAR on atmospheric research aircraft missions.
National Science Foundation is a partner of National Center for Atmospheric Research
NCAR is sponsored by the National Science Foundation.
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U.S. Naval Research Laboratory is a partner of NASA
U.S. Naval Research Laboratory scientists collaborate with NASA on the INSPYRE atmospheric study.
U.S. Naval Research Laboratory is located in United States
The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory is a United States military research institution.
National Center for Atmospheric Research is located in United States
NCAR is located in Boulder, Colorado, United States.
Related events
NASA INSPYRE Mission Samples High-Altitude Wildfire Fire Clouds in Utah
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