Commercial Fixed Wing
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Time Pressure
Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Inflight Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance
Environment - Non Weather Related
As we flew towards a large fire; it became clear that the smoke cloud was building faster than previously realized. Upon noticing we needed a small correction to avoid any turbulence associated with the rising smoke cloud; we were in the process of changing frequencies. We turned 5 right to avoid the build up and let ATC know when we checked in. We then turned back on course immediately. The whole event was probably 10 to 15 seconds and a small course correction.
During frequency change; we had to change course to prevent flying through rapidly building smoke plume from wildfire. Clarified with new controller change of course.
Air carrier flight crew reported taking unauthorized deviation to avoid smoke and turbulence.