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Firenados, also known as fire whirlwinds or fire tornadoes, are intense, swirling columns of fire that can form during wildfires or intense heat events. They occur when hot air rises rapidly and interacts with cooler air, creating a rotating column that can lift burning debris and embers into the air. These phenomena can be highly destructive, as they spread flames and ignite new fires in their vicinity. Firenados are relatively rare but can significantly impact wildfire behavior and spread.
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What kind of winds drive wildfires in California?
Santa Ana winds are the most common type of wind that drives wildfires in California. These dry, warm winds blow from the inland deserts toward the coast, causing low humidity levels and drying out vegetation, making it more susceptible to ignition and rapid spread of wildfires.
What are the damage of the fire whirl tornadoes?
Most of the damage from a firewhirl, which is not a true tornado, is fire damage, from structures and vegetation in the path beng burned. Winds in a firewhirl generally do not exceed 100 mph, equivalent to an EF1 tornado, which can cause severa roof damage and destroy some weaker structures. The primary threat is in the potential to spread fire to a new location.
