How to create a FIRE tornado

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Does fire affect climate change? What about extreme wildfire behavior?

A fire tornado, or “firenado,” is exactly what it sounds like: a tornado made out of fire… and it is truly the stuff of nightmares. The most famous example occurred when the 2018 Carr Fire spawned an EF3 fire tornado with estimated wind speeds of 143 mph! And as climate change drives increasing wildfires around the planet, it only makes sense that we see more fire tornadoes as well. But, watch to the end of this episode because even though fires are burning more acres each year we have some very good news about climate change and carbon storage of burned forests.

Dr. Lisa Elsworth tells us about a groundbreaking study comparing the carbon storage of unburned forest and forest burned at high intensity. Her research helps us understand forest fire, carbon capture and storage, and climate change.

Tune into this episode of Weathered to learn what the latest science can tell us about these rare but dangerous phenomena as well as about the surprising ability of burnt forests to store carbon and mitigate climate change.

Weathered is a show hosted by meteorologist Maiya May and produced by Balance Media that helps explain the most common natural disasters, what causes them, how they’re changing, and what we can do to prepare.

And keep up with Weathered and PBS Terra on:

Thank you Margaret A. Carghill Philanthropies for supporting PBS.

[hypocriticalcritic]

I love the way you explained how tornado spinning faster works, comparing it to ice skating. Makes it much easier to understand.

[shogun]

Wildfires seem to be far more dangerous for humans in the immediate than in the long term, which is kinda what some people need.

Because the long term fear of climate change sure as hell isn't spurring people into action.

[prettypic]

god, imagine being a forest firefighter (or an inmate firefighter) struggling to put out a fire and all of a sudden, it makes its own tornado

[ikeekieeki]

this channel is too under-viewed! such good and clear content deserves more views, and the info itself is important and useful to our lives now and in the future

[EdgarRuiz]

PBS Terra is bringing the goods! Love the content!!

[nineball]

Excellent narration Maiya and thanks to all the crew for making this.

[yuvalne]

Watching this as my country goes through the worst wildfire in over a decade:
:(

[lindakelley]

good simple logical presentation. Thank you.

[billllllllllllllly]

I remember my first firenado. Chelan WA, 2012. It came up the draw, went over an engine, crossed the dozer line, and started a bunch of spotfires.

[tammiebroggins]

I didn't know this till I saw it for myself. I'm on the coast. It's so scary to wake to a fire. I'm heading east.

[pjesf]

Another fascinating video. I love this channel and I’d much rather watch this than “look at me” TikTok videos

[SolaceEasy]

Two of nature's most deadly forces are evident in this video: Ignorance and Distraction

[davevann]

Do the dead trees left after fires release their carbon over time as they are consumed by decomposing fungi?

[maxheadrom]

EDIT: Great video, btw! Thanks!

6:13 That's incorrect because not all forests are made of coniferous vegetation and the soil + topography + rainfall isn't the same all over the world. From personal observation, tropical forests don't have the same response: The soil depends on the green coverage to keep its nutrients from being washed by rainfall and guess what happens a lot in tropical forests (aka humid forests)? It rains like hell!

For wild fires on coniferous vegetation that is absolutely true. The phenomenon was clearly shown on Yellowstone a few decades ago after a huge wildfire burned a large portion of Yogi Bear's natural park.

Something that was not mentioned and that was observed in fires first on British cities after being bombarded by the nazi ariforce and later in Japan and Germany after allied incendiary bombardments over those countries is that the tornado bends and sets other parts on fire also. I'm not sure the same happens on wildfires because cities, like the excellent practical example the researchers gave us, are pretty good at channeling wind.

[mattcook]

Is it possible, then, if the fire only releases a small part of the carbon, that with the new storage from regrowth there could be a net gain?

[shep]

One single Firenado can destroy a city given the right circumstances... One of these was created after the Japanese Earthquake of 1923... A firenado appeared and killed thousands within minutes...

[HARE]

Very fascinating content. Encouraging, too.
Thanks to all involved for a very informative episode.

[TheFranchiseCA]

Is this what happens when a tornado meets a volcano?

[dvtt]

Additionally, the fire converts the carbon from wood and other organic material which would otherwise decomposes into charcoal which keeps the carbon from going back into the atmosphere -- permanent, organic carbon capture!

[BobQuigley]

Thanks for information... would add that as the wood decays CO2 is released. Would also add that as the fires destroy buildings etc further emissions occur. Should people rebuild in the forest they create more CO2 as the materials they use are manufactured. Lastly it's not unusual for burned forest land to be converted to commercia or residential. We would be wise to give back 50% of the land to nature