"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
Cold Blast Prompts Frost and Freeze Alerts

Cold Blast Prompts Frost and Freeze Alerts

WHAT TO EXPECTA blast of cold air has brought

21 Apr 2026 2:00 AM
Active Week Ahead for the West Coast

Active Week Ahead for the West Coast

CALIFORNIA - Rain has begun in California and

21 Apr 2026 1:55 AM
Severe Thunderstorms Ramp Back Up This Week

Severe Thunderstorms Ramp Back Up This Week

While the severe thunderstorm risk ends with

21 Apr 2026 1:40 AM
Extreme Drought Leads To Fire Concerns Across The Nation

Extreme Drought Leads To Fire Concerns Across The Nation

SOUTHEASTOver 96% of the Southeast is in mode

21 Apr 2026 1:20 AM
Record Snow, Record Rain, Rising Rivers

Record Snow, Record Rain, Rising Rivers

Flooding turned serious over the last week ac

20 Apr 2026 4:20 PM
Looking Back at Last Week's Severe Weather Outbreak

Looking Back at Last Week's Severe Weather Outbreak

Tornadoes, hail, wind, and rain slammed the M

20 Apr 2026 4:10 PM
Last Day of East Coast Record Heat, Big Cool Down on the Way

Last Day of East Coast Record Heat, Big Cool Down on the Way

High pressure has been dominant on the East C

19 Apr 2026 1:20 AM