"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
Hot and Stormy in the Northeast

Hot and Stormy in the Northeast

While the heat builds into the Northeast, rou

10 Jun 2026 9:30 PM
Severe Storms, Flash Flooding Threaten Millions Across the Plains

Severe Storms, Flash Flooding Threaten Millions Across the Plains

Severe weather has continued to be a big talk

10 Jun 2026 9:25 PM
East and West Coast Record Summer Heat

East and West Coast Record Summer Heat

Heat advisories have been expanding across th

10 Jun 2026 6:45 PM
First Atlantic Disturbance of the Season

First Atlantic Disturbance of the Season

WATCHING THE TROPICSAtlanticThe first disturb

10 Jun 2026 5:40 PM
NASA Names Artemis III Astronauts

NASA Names Artemis III Astronauts

COURTESY: NASAThis morning, NASA announced th

10 Jun 2026 5:00 PM
Tropical Moisture Brings Increased Flood Risk

Tropical Moisture Brings Increased Flood Risk

With multiple rounds of heavy downpours acros

9 Jun 2026 10:40 AM
Severe Storms Repeat Daily Across the Plains

Severe Storms Repeat Daily Across the Plains

Severe storms developed today, as a particula

8 Jun 2026 1:25 AM