Firenado Phenomenon Captured in LA Wildfire
Intense Heat in the Atmosphere Creates Fierce Whirlwinds
A large wildfire in Los Angeles (LA), California, USA, shows no signs of being contained, and now a fierce 'fire whirl' has been captured, raising concerns among local residents.
On the 11th (local time), US Fox Weather and others reported that a so-called 'fire whirl (Firenado)' was captured at the wildfire site in the upscale western beach community of Pacific Palisades in LA. Palisades is the area most severely affected by the wildfire, with a containment rate of only about 14%, spreading very rapidly.
When the surrounding temperature rises due to a large fire, the phenomenon of a 'fire tornado' can occur with a low probability. Photo by Fox Weather
A Firenado is a term combining Fire and Tornado, referring to embers swept up by strong winds soaring into the sky, creating a shape like a pillar of fire. Meteorologist Dani Ruberti explained on air, "Firenados are very rare phenomena" and "they mainly occur during extremely large fires."
According to Ruberti, when a large fire heats the temperature, the updraft causes the atmosphere and gases to rise, drawing in surrounding air. At this time, fire, smoke, and debris are sucked in together, creating a whirlpool-like phenomenon.
The destructive power of a Firenado is devastating. According to the US Forest Service data, a Firenado has wind speeds comparable to an EF-2 tornado (217 km/h). Winds strong enough to uproot trees, blow off roofs of houses, and overturn vehicles. This means additional damage could occur in the already scorched West Coast region.
Fire tornado phenomenon captured during the 2019 Australian bushfires. Photo by Reuters and Yonhap News.
Firenado phenomena have been captured in the past as well. During the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake in Japan, when fires broke out in the city, a Firenado occurred, claiming 38,000 lives in about 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, as of the 14th, the wildfires burning in western California show containment rates around 14-30%. Most of the sporadic fires have been controlled, but the Palisades wildfire, the origin and largest blaze, and the Eaton wildfire still show no signs of being contained.
Meanwhile, the US National Weather Service forecasted that gusts could occur until the 15th. Wind speeds are expected to reach 80 km/h, and up to 113 km/h in mountainous areas. If embers carried by the wind ignite dry air and brush, the fire could worsen further. Relatedly, Rich Thompson, an analyst at the US Weather Service, warned, "The 14th is the critical point. It will be the most dangerous fire weather condition."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
