An unusual and striking phenomenon, known as a fire whirl or "firenado," was observed Friday night amid the ongoing Palisades Fire in Los Angeles.

The spinning vortex of fire, smoke, and debris was captured on video as it swirled through the wildfire zone, a stark reminder of the unpredictable and dangerous conditions surrounding these blazes.

Fire whirls are spinning columns of hot air and gases rising from intense fires.

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According to the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG), these columns can lift not only smoke and gases but also debris and flames, creating a visible vortex of fire.

The size of a fire whirl can vary greatly, from just a foot in diameter to over 500 feet wide.

The larger fire whirls can reach wind speeds equivalent to small tornadoes, posing significant risks.

The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) reports that some larger fire whirls, with wind speeds comparable to EF-2 tornadoes, have uprooted trees, overturned vehicles, and torn roofs off homes.

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While fire whirls are rare, they have been documented during major wildfires.

One of the largest recent examples occurred in 2018 during the Carr Fire in Redding, California.

That fire whirl reached wind speeds of 143 mph, similar to those found in EF-3 tornadoes, according to the National Weather Service.

The most destructive fire whirl on record took place in Tokyo in 1923.

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Triggered by fires that erupted following a devastating earthquake, the fire whirl swept through the city, killing approximately 38,000 people in under 15 minutes, according to the USFS.

Unlike tornadoes, which are produced by supercell thunderstorms, fire whirls are more akin to dust devils.

FOX Weather Meteorologist Ari Sarsalari explained that fire whirls are created by hot air rising and light winds interacting with intense fire conditions.

This combination can produce the swirling vortex of fire, making fire whirls an extraordinary but dangerous occurrence.

The 2025 wildfires in California have been particularly destructive, with the Palisades Fire serving as one of the most intense examples.

These fires have already claimed at least 11 lives, destroyed more than 10,000 homes and businesses, and scorched over 29,000 acres of land in Los Angeles County alone.

Firefighters continue to battle the blazes under challenging conditions, including dry weather, high winds, and limited water resources.

Authorities are urging residents in affected areas to remain vigilant and follow evacuation orders as needed.

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The appearance of a fire whirl amid the Palisades Fire highlights the unique and dangerous challenges faced by firefighters and residents during wildfire season.

As California continues to grapple with the devastation, the phenomenon serves as a reminder of the extraordinary power and unpredictability of nature.

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