NASA investigates 'fire cloud' formed by wild blazes

Massive wildfires in the United States have created eerie scenes high above the Earth.

Scientists in a flying NASA laboratory captures images of a 'fire cloud' obscuring the sun in a thick haze over Washington state earlier this month.

The experts used scientific equipment aboard the jet to sample gases and measure temperature, humidity, wind speed and other features of the fire cloud formed at an altitude of 9000 metres from a raging wildfire.

Despite their attractive appearance, fire clouds, known as pyrocumulonimbus, have a turbulent effect.

When wildfires cause thunderstorms, the clouds funnel smoke and particles into the lower stratosphere – about 10 kilometres above Earth. These materials are channelled into the skies at a rate similar to an erupting volcano.

And once smoke reaches the upper atmosphere, it can remain there for months or even years, scientists have found.

Wildfires have been burning throughout the northern US and Siberia this northern summer.

NASA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and other US scientific bodies are aiming to learn more about their impact.

"It's extremely exciting to have the chance to improve our understanding of how these clouds transport material into the atmosphere, where it can survive for a long time," said Joshua Schwarz, a scientist with the NOAA.