A video captured on Friday shows a swirling column of fire amidst the blaze in the ongoing Pacific Palisades wildfire. This phenomenon resembles a tornado, but experts are currently investigating if it qualifies as a rare fire tornado or if it is a more frequently occurring and less intense event known as a “fire whirl.”

While the blaze resembles a tornado, Daniel Swain, a climate scientist at UCLA, explained to YSL News that it’s more likely a fire whirl, which is “closer to a dust devil than a tornado” and is considered less hazardous.

“These formations typically arise briefly along the leading edge of intense wildfires, especially when the fires are engulfing thick foliage and/or moving uphill,” Swain added.

How do fire whirls occur?

Fire whirls develop when wind converges with the rising hot air created by flames. This incoming air can cause a rotation. Swain indicates that fire whirls are quite common and tend to occur during most significant wildfires. They are substantially less dangerous than true fire tornadoes, which can wreak havoc in their path.

What leads to fire tornadoes?

Fire tornadoes are formed when high winds interact with certain atmospheric conditions, leading to smoke clouds that can rise between 20,000 to 40,000 feet, according to Swain. This process can create swirling hot gas vortices, producing winds that can exceed 100 mph.

Susan Buchanan, a representative for the National Weather Service, noted that while the agency does not maintain regular records of fire tornadoes, these events frequently happen during severe wildfires and pose significant risks for firefighting efforts.