"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
Multiple Rounds of Severe Storms Threaten Northeast

Multiple Rounds of Severe Storms Threaten Northeast

NEW YORK - Numerous tornado-warned storms mov

3 Sep 2026 1:55 AM
East Texas Still Vulnerable for Flooding After Edouard

East Texas Still Vulnerable for Flooding After Edouard

Tropical Storm Edouard made landfall along th

3 Sep 2026 1:50 AM
Marie Could Impact Labor Day Plans in Southern California

Marie Could Impact Labor Day Plans in Southern California

Moisture from Marie, along with a trough to t

3 Sep 2026 1:20 AM
El Niño Powers a Party in the Pacific

El Niño Powers a Party in the Pacific

The Pacific hurricane season is showing no si

3 Sep 2026 1:05 AM
More Severe Weather For The Plains

More Severe Weather For The Plains

WHAT TO EXPECTThere is a significant severe t

3 Sep 2026 12:55 AM
Monsoon Moisture Brings Flooding Across the Four Corners

Monsoon Moisture Brings Flooding Across the Four Corners

Flood Watches are in effect throughout Arizon

1 Sep 2026 10:20 AM
El Nino Pushes Sharks into Southern California Beaches

El Nino Pushes Sharks into Southern California Beaches

During El Nino, temperatures across the Easte

30 Aug 2026 10:00 AM