A Fire Rainbow Over New Jersey . ... Sometimes known as a fire rainbow for its flame-like appearance, a circumhorizon arc is created by ice, not fire. For a circumhorizon arc to be visible, the Sun must be at least 58 degrees high in a sky where cirrus clouds are present. ... Pictured above , however, a rare fire rainbow was captured above trees in Whiting , New Jersey , USA in late May . ... NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers . NASA Official: Jay Norris. ...