As Los Angeles battles devastating wildfires threatening properties, businesses, and lives, witnesses have captured a rare weather phenomena on camera: a so-called “firenado”.
The ongoing disaster has already claimed at least 11 lives, destroyed over 12,000 structures, and scorched more than 37,000 acres of land, leaving tens of thousands displaced, per the Daily Mail.
On Friday night, firefighters were still battling six major blazes in the area, including the Palisades Fire, the largest of them all.
Footage Captures Rare Fire Tornado
Recently released footage has revealed the formation of a fire tornado near the San Fernando Valley. The dramatic video shows a swirling column of fire, ash, and smoke as flames advanced toward Mulholland Drive in the Santa Monica Mountains.
Fire tornadoes, while rare, can occur during wildfires when intense heat and turbulent winds combine to create the spinning vortex, per Fox Weather. The occurrence underscores the sheer intensity of the Palisades Fire as it spreads further into residential areas.
They can be as strong as a small tornado, per the National Wildfire Coordinating Group, and as they throw smoke, debris, and fire into the air, they can be powerful enough uproot small trees.
Fire whirls, though rare, can reach devastating levels of intensity. One of the largest recent fire whirls occurred during California’s 2018 Carr Fire near Redding, according to the National Weather Service. This fiery vortex reached wind speeds of approximately 143 mph, comparable to an EF-3 tornado.
The most catastrophic fire whirl ever recorded happened in Tokyo in 1923, the U.S. Forest Service reported. Triggered by fires ignited across the city following a powerful earthquake, the vortex claimed the lives of an estimated 38,000 people in less than 15 minutes.
A new evacuation order was issued Friday night for neighborhoods in Brentwood as the fire moved east, threatening some of the city’s most affluent areas.
LA County spokesman Jesus Ruiz called the latest developments a “significant challenge,” adding that firefighters are working tirelessly to contain the spread of the inferno.
According to CNN, the Palisades Fire – which destroyed more than 21,000 acres – is at least 8% contained but is now moving east, with civilians in Encino, West LA, and Brentwood under new warnings or orders.
Devastation and Public Health Concerns
President Joe Biden warned that the death toll is likely to rise as officials assess the full extent of the damage. The wildfires have left neighborhoods in smoldering ruins, and some residents have begun returning to see the staggering aftermath.
“I saw my neighborhood for the first time today,” one resident said, per the Mail. “Everything we built is gone—it’s like a nightmare.”
The LA County Department of Public Health issued an urgent warning about the hazardous air quality caused by the fires. Residents have been advised to stay indoors, close windows and doors, and use air conditioning to filter the air. Those venturing outside are encouraged to wear masks to protect against smoke inhalation.
Calmer winds on Friday allowed firefighters to make progress in containing the blazes, but meteorologists predict gusty weather will return over the weekend.
Mounting Costs and Questions
While official damage costs have not yet been released, private estimates suggest the toll could climb into the tens of billions of dollars, with BBC News reporting a potential figure of $135 billion.
The destruction has sparked frustration among locals, with reports emerging that fire hydrants in some of the hardest-hit areas ran dry during the height of the emergency.
The Los Angeles Times reports that California Governor Gavin Newsom has ordered an investigation into the causes behind the loss of water pressure to fire hydrants.
“We need answers to ensure this does not happen again,” he wrote in a statement shared on X.
The firestorm has also claimed homes belonging to some of Hollywood’s biggest stars. Celebrities including Anthony Hopkins, Miles Teller, Paris Hilton, and Anna Faris have seen their luxurious estates reduced to ash and rubble.
A City Grappling With Loss
As the fires continue to rage, residents of the 13-million-strong metro area face the gargantuan task of both evacuation and recovery. The region’s resilience will be tested as families, businesses, and officials work to rebuild from one of the worst wildfire disasters in US history.
With six fires still burning and worsening conditions on the horizon, the battle to save lives and homes in Los Angeles is far from over.
Our thoughts go out to every person impacted by this unfolding tragedy.
