L.A. Wildfires: A Fire Tornado Spins Through Palisades Blaze
A breathtaking yet terrifying scene unfolded Friday night as a “firenado” emerged during the raging Palisades fire, one of the largest wildfires in Los Angeles history.
The fiery vortex, captured on video by Fox 11, formed on the northern edge of the blaze as intense winds whipped flames into a mesmerizing spiral. Fox 11’s Adam Krueger explained the phenomenon, noting that firenados occur when wind combines with an updraft, creating a vortex that pulls flames into the swirling column.
The Palisades Fire, which began on Tuesday, has already burned more than 21,000 acres in Pacific Palisades and Malibu. With only 11% containment, it has become the most destructive wildfire in Los Angeles County history.
As of Saturday morning, the fires across the region have claimed 11 lives, with over 100,000 residents under evacuation orders. The evacuation zone expanded overnight, now including areas like Brentwood and Encino as the flames continue spreading eastward.
