"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
Another Round of Storms Targets the Northeast

Another Round of Storms Targets the Northeast

Another cold front is dropping east and will

20 Jul 2026 10:05 PM
Tropics: TD Two Organizing in the Gulf, Eastern Pacific Active

Tropics: TD Two Organizing in the Gulf, Eastern Pacific Active

In the Atlantic basin, we are keeping a very

20 Jul 2026 10:00 PM
Another Round of Severe Weather for the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes

Another Round of Severe Weather for the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes

The upper level low train continues to keep t

20 Jul 2026 9:55 PM
Air Quality Improvements in the Forecast

Air Quality Improvements in the Forecast

Wildfires burning in Northwestern Ontario, Ca

20 Jul 2026 7:20 PM
Severe Storm Threat Continues for North Carolina

Severe Storm Threat Continues for North Carolina

A slow-moving front has one more day's worth

20 Jul 2026 7:20 PM
Monsoon Moisture Brings Weekend Flood Threat

Monsoon Moisture Brings Weekend Flood Threat

The monsoon has returned to the southwestern

19 Jul 2026 1:30 AM
After Historic Flooding, Flood Risk Moves West Saturday

After Historic Flooding, Flood Risk Moves West Saturday

TEXAS HILL COUNTRY - Life-threatening floodin

18 Jul 2026 1:00 AM