What is a firenado? Rare fire tornado forms with 122 mph winds as Utah blaze crosses into Colorado

A rare and powerful fire tornado or “firenado” formed over the weekend as Utah’s Deer Creek Fire crossed into western Colorado, intensifying concerns amid an already dangerous wildfire season.

The National Weather Service confirmed that the firenado, spotted near La Sal, Utah, on July 12, reached EF2 intensity with winds up to 122 mph. It is only the third tornado of that strength recorded in Utah since 2000.

Doppler radar showed the fire tornado’s smoke plume reaching over 16,700 feet above ground. Experts say the phenomenon formed when extreme heat from the wildfire caused air to rise rapidly, creating a spinning column of flames and smoke.


The Deer Creek Fire, which started in eastern Utah, has burned through 12,906 acres and remains just 7 percent contained. At least five structures have been destroyed, and 10 others damaged. The fire spread into Montrose County, Colorado, on Tuesday night, prompting evacuation orders and road closures.

The fire tornado was captured in dramatic video footage by Utah Fire Info and other agencies. Officials say the vortex forced firefighting crews to temporarily retreat as it threw debris and caused structural damage.

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What are firenadoes?

Fire whirls, commonly known as firenados, are not entirely unheard of but remain rare. They occur when hot air rises quickly, pulling in surrounding wind and flames to form a tornado-like column. They can spread embers far beyond the fire front, creating new ignition points and complicating firefighting efforts.

Other active wildfires in Colorado include the Sowbelly Fire in the Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area and the South Rim Fire in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.

This is not the first time a fire tornado has made headlines. California’s Carr Fire produced an EF3 fire tornado in 2018 with winds reaching 143 mph, killing three people. The National Weather Service issued its first-ever fire tornado warning during California’s Loyalton Fire.

Residents in affected areas are urged to follow all evacuation instructions and monitor local fire updates closely.