At high enough power density, the laser beam's electromagnetic wave rips the electrons right off the atoms of the air, regardless of wavelength. The air does

At high enough power density, the laser beam's electromagnetic wave rips the electrons right off the atoms of the air, regardless of wavelength. The air does get hot, but heat is not the main issue. The current method of preventing breakdown is to expand and focus the beam with a telescope mirror so the power density near the ground is reduced. See: https://www.rp-photonics.com/laser_induced_breakdown.html https://www.rp-photonics.com/laser_induced_breakdown.html