Laser‐induced changes in the extraordinary index of refraction (optical damage) in ferroelectrics are caused by macroscopic charge separation produced during laser illumination. If the sample is heated in the vicinity of the laser beam, pyroelectric fields are produced in ferroelectrics which can also produce macroscopic charge separation. We report the observation of the continuous transition in LiNbO3between macroscopic charge separation associated with optical damage and pyroelectricity. Macroscopic charge separation due to pyroelectricity represents a second source of optical damage in ferroelectrics which can occur whenever the temperature of the sample is raised significantly (32 °C for LiNbO3).