"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
Flood Threat to Bring Big Changes to Texas

Flood Threat to Bring Big Changes to Texas

Hurricane Polo is moving north, set to make l

28 Sep 2026 3:10 PM
Powerful Nor’easter Slams East Coast over the Weekend

Powerful Nor’easter Slams East Coast over the Weekend

A Nor'easter...in September? While most peopl

28 Sep 2026 1:20 PM
Another Round of Flooding Possible for the Southwest

Another Round of Flooding Possible for the Southwest

In the last month, the southwestern states of

28 Sep 2026 1:15 PM
Tropical Update: EPAC Active; Hanna Forms in the Atlantic

Tropical Update: EPAC Active; Hanna Forms in the Atlantic

The Pacific Ocean has been incredibly active

28 Sep 2026 1:00 PM
Nolo Moving West; Flooding Still Possible on Kauai

Nolo Moving West; Flooding Still Possible on Kauai

Hurricane Nolo spared the Hawaiian Islands fr

28 Sep 2026 12:45 PM
Major Flooding Possible in the Desert Southwest This Week

Major Flooding Possible in the Desert Southwest This Week

FLASH FLOODINGIt has been a very active week

24 Sep 2026 12:10 PM
More Flooding Concerns Out East

More Flooding Concerns Out East

WHAT TO EXPECTRecord rainfall fell this weeke

22 Sep 2026 1:45 PM