It was the biggest so-called pyrocumulonimbus event ever observed, according to David Peterson, a meteorologist at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory in Monterey, Calif."This was the most significant fire-driven thunderstorm event in history. "The total amount of smoke that was released into the lower stratosphere was comparable to a moderate volcanic eruption." (Naval Research Laboratory)The scientists who research this phenomenon have nicknamed the Aug. 12 event "the mother of all pyroCbs" or "the mega pyroCb," according to Peterson. "It's very likely that pyroCbs have a role in the climate system; it's just we're at the early stages of the research," Peterson said.

Source: CBC News April 26, 2018 10:52 UTC