"Firenado" in California Last Week Produced 140 mph Winds

news image
Special Stories
2 Aug 2018 11:02 PM
The fire whirl in California Thursday, July 26 has been compared to an EF-3 tornado! https://twitter.com/NWSSacramento/status/1025125984465498112 During the evening of Thursday, July 26 the Carr Fire spread uncontrollably and erratically in Shasta County, California near Redding. A "fire whirl" developed where intense heat from wildfires swirls up whipping winds that looks much like a tornado. The whirl during that Thursday evening had estimated winds of 143 miles per hour!  Compare that wind speed to a tornado and you'll enter the rating of an EF-3! There were reports of many trees uprooted and even the bark of trees being ripped off. Imagine all of this happening within an ongoing wildfire. For WeatherNation, Meteorologist Steve Glazier
All Weather News
More
Severe Storms Repeat Daily Across the Plains

Severe Storms Repeat Daily Across the Plains

The plains has been active over the last seve

7 Jun 2026 1:20 PM
Tropical Moisture Brings Increased Flood Risk to the Gulf Coast This Weekend

Tropical Moisture Brings Increased Flood Risk to the Gulf Coast This Weekend

A broad area of tropical moisture moving acro

7 Jun 2026 1:10 PM
Two Disturbances in the Eastern Pacific Have a Chance of Developing

Two Disturbances in the Eastern Pacific Have a Chance of Developing

It's Hurricane Prep Week on WeatherNation for

7 Jun 2026 12:50 PM
Hurricane Prep Week 2026

Hurricane Prep Week 2026

HURRICANE SEASON IS HERE!The Atlantic Hurrica

7 Jun 2026 12:45 PM
Severe Storms, Flash Flooding Threaten Millions Across the Plains This Weekend

Severe Storms, Flash Flooding Threaten Millions Across the Plains This Weekend

Millions of people across the Plains are unde

7 Jun 2026 1:55 AM
Severe Storms for the Northeast This Weekend

Severe Storms for the Northeast This Weekend

The Storm Prediction Center has issued a seve

7 Jun 2026 1:50 AM
Severe Storms Target the Midwest Overnight

Severe Storms Target the Midwest Overnight

Strong storms have been surging across the Pl

6 Jun 2026 2:20 AM