Pyrocumulus

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Wildfire Knowledge Graph · Fire Behaviour

Working definition

A convective cloud that develops above a strong heat source such as a wildfire when the rising plume reaches condensation level.

Also searched as

pyroCu

In plain language

A convective cloud that develops above a strong heat source such as a wildfire when the rising plume reaches condensation level.

Why it matters

Pyrocumulus is useful because it separates one specific part of wildfire behaviour, exposure, operations or evidence from nearby concepts that can otherwise be mixed together.

Primary terminology sourceSearch official NWCG glossary ↗

Tecnobosque explanation reviewed 12 September 2026. Source definitions are authoritative within their stated jurisdiction; the explanatory text above is an independent technical synthesis.