A fire whirl, fire devil or fire tornado is a whirlwind induced by a fire and often (at least partially) composed of flame or ash. These start with a whirl of wind, often made visible by smoke, and may occur when intense rising heat and turbulent wind conditions combine to …

Fire tornadoes are terrifying forces of nature. They're rare, but as wildfires become bigger and more frequent, they may grow more common. Thankfully, scientists are getting closer to...

Aug 23, 2021 · Big wildfires create their own weather, and can even spawn tornadoes swirling with smoke and flame. Researchers are trying to determine how often they occur.

Sep 2, 2021 · Here is how they summarize it: A fire tornado, or “firenado,” is exactly what it sounds like: a tornado made out of fire… and it is truly the stuff of nightmares. The most famous example...

Fire tornadoes develop when a blaze, not the sun, heats air above the surface of the Earth. They're not really tornadoes at all, but a special type of whirlwind (makes sense why they're known as fire whirls or fire devils in many parts of the world).

Dec 3, 2021 · California’s wildfires have spawned a number of dramatic fire whirls, also known as fire devils, fire tornadoes or “firenadoes.” What is a fire tornado, and how dangerous are they?

May 16, 2014 · California's wildfires have spawned a number of dramatic fire whirls, also known as fire devils, fire tornadoes or "firenadoes." What is a fire tornado, and how dangerous are they?

Aug 20, 2018 · A fire tornado, also known as fire whirl, fire twister, or firenado is a whirlwind which is made up of ash or flame. Fire tornadoes begin with a swirl of smoke or wind.

Jan 28, 2025 · A fire tornado is a rare but highly dangerous event where fire, heat, and wind combine to create a rotating column of flames. Unlike traditional tornadoes, which form due to severe thunderstorms, fire tornadoes originate in intense wildfires or volcanic eruptions where extreme heat meets turbulent air currents.

Fire whirls, often referred to as fire tornadoes, are fascinating phenomena that occur when flames and hot gases rise rapidly, creating a rotating column of fire. These whirls can significantly ...