Los Angeles Firenado: A dangerous “firenado” (tornado of fire) was seen on Friday (January 10, 2025) during the Palisades Fire in Los Angeles. The video of this terrible incident has become increasingly viral on social media. This unique combination of fire and tornado created an atmosphere of panic in the area. Watch the video of “Firenado” viral on social media:
🇺🇸 “Fire tornadoes” spotted in Los Angeles.
Known as ‘firenados,’ these rare phenomena occur when intense heat from wildfires creates spinning columns of rising hot air mixed with flames, ash, and debris. They can reach hundreds of feet in height and move unpredictably, making… pic.twitter.com/uud0ohJStj
— DD Geopolitics (@DD_Geopolitics) January 11, 2025
What is ‘firenado’?
A firenado, also known as a ‘fire whirl’, is formed when hot air and gases rise rapidly due to the heat of a fire. These hot winds also carry smoke, debris and flames with them, due to which this rotating tornado is formed.
The size of the firenado can range from small to 500 feet wide. Large fire whirls can be as powerful as small hurricanes. According to the US Forest Service, large firenados can uproot trees, overturn vehicles and blow roofs off homes.
past matters
In 2018, during the Carr Fire in Redding area of California, a firenado with a speed of 143 mph caused devastation. Its strength was equal to that of an EF-3 category storm.
The most destructive firestorm in history was seen in Tokyo, Japan in 1923. The fire that broke out after the earthquake took the form of a tornado, which killed 38,000 people in just 15 minutes.
Palisades Fire: devastation statistics
Six active wildfires in the Los Angeles area have killed 24 people so far. These fires have destroyed more than 12,000 homes and businesses and turned more than 29,000 acres of land into ash. Palisades Fire is considered to be the most dangerous of these.
These dangerous incidents have further intensified the discussion on climate change and forest fires. Experts believe that due to increasing heat and dry conditions, incidents of such firestorms may increase.
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