Denver. Co. (KDVR) – A combination of wind and heat created a ‘fire tornado’ during a controlled burn at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge on March 14.
Also known as fire whirls, fire devils, or even firenados, these whirlwinds of flame are not really rare, just rarely documented, according to National Geographic.
Related: Giant fire tornado captured on video
Thomas Rogers with South Metro Fire and Rescue was shooting video when a large whirlwind of tumbleweeds blew up 200 feet in the air.
“You don’t see that very often,” a firefighter says on the video.
“The whirlwind pulled the fire across the control line, causing burning tumbleweeds to start a spot fire,” according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which manages the Refuge.
The “fire-whirl” didn’t get too far out of control and it didn’t cause any damage. It was just a wild sight caught on camera until the wind died down.
Read more about the fire at our sister station KDVR.
