Wildfires spark 'fire clouds'

TWO wildfires burning in the western United States - including one that has become a “megafire” on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon - are so hot that they are sparking the formation of “fire clouds” that can create their own erratic weather systems.

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In Arizona, the wind-whipped wildfire that destroyed the Grand Canyon Lodge is 9% contained and has charred more than 164 square miles to become the largest fire now burning in the continental US and one of the top 10 largest in recorded Arizona history.

Another large fire in Monroe, Utah, has burned 75 square miles since July 13 and is 11% contained, officials said on Thursday.