Explainer-France has seen its first 'fire-cloud'. What is it?

France is facing an unprecedented fire season that has forced hundreds of thousands to evacuate and hurt the economy during peak tourist season.
Authorities reported France’s first-ever “fire‑cloud” (pyrocumulonimbus) near Bordeaux — a giant smoke cloud that can spawn strong winds, lightning and falling burning debris.
Experts warn Western Europe may see more of these erratic, dangerous fire events, complicating firefighting and evacuation planning.