Publication: NBC News

UCLA Expert: Daniel Swain: Assistant Researcher and Climate Specialist, Institute of the Environment and Sustainability

Synopsis: Dozens of buildings burned and a major interstate was closed due to the fires in the Sierra Nevada. 

UCLA News:  Dramatic aerial video from KCRA showed air tankers dumping payloads of brightly colored retardant over giant smoke columns as the fire appeared to make a run toward the community of Foresthill, Swain said. He noted that large pyrocumulonimbus clouds — which can generate thunder, lightning and tornado-force winds — appeared to be building on the fire’s flanks. 

Read more at NBC News.