California issues alert warning of horrifying fire tornado in new Sierra blaze
California officials issued a warning Saturday for a “fire tornado” — or “firenado” — in a new blaze in the eastern Sierras. The wildfire is burning so hot that it has the power to create its own weather phenomenon with deadly blasts of blazing heat, flames and wind.
The wildfire raging near the small community of Loyalton near Reno, Nevada, grew to 20,000 acres by Saturday and quickly triggered the rare warning from the National Weather Service.
It was believed to be the first time that a fire tornado warning has been issued ahead of the phenomenon. Fire tornadoes have been spotted, however. A massive firenado was filmed in Redding, California, in 2018.
Some 300 firefighters were battling the blaze, which was first reported Friday afternoon. It was only 5% contained Saturday afternoon as it burned over a ridge and jumped Highway 395 near the Nevada border.
⚠️CLOSE CALL. #TMFR Brush Engine 44 on scene earlier today as #LoyaltonFire jumped HWY 395 with vehicles stuck on the road. The crew provided protection and got the vehicles out of harms way. No injuries. pic.twitter.com/iDTWzXo7Y8
— Truckee Meadows Fire & Rescue (@TMFPD) August 16, 2020
Officials spotted an ominous “pyrocumulus cloud” indicating a developing firenado in the early afternoon south of Chilcoot.
Related: Wildfires in California
“The Loyalton Fire to the east of the Sierra Valley exploded most impressively this afternoon, with a very large pyrocumulus [cloud] and reports of fire tornadoes. Due to the possibility of very strong fire-generated winds and extreme fire behavior with danger to fire personnel, a tornado warning was issued to heighten awareness in the area of the fire,” said the NWS alert.
The rotating columns and fire whirls of the burgeoning cloud are “capable of producing a fire-induced tornado and outflow winds in excess of 60 mph,” the NWS warned. “This is extremely dangerous for firefighters.”
Extremely dangerous fire behavior noted on the #LoyaltonFire! Rotating columns and potential for fire whirls. Responders should exercise extreme caution!!! https://t.co/DYghar7yiz
— NWS Reno (@NWSReno) August 15, 2020
By late Saturday afternoon the NWS tweeted that the pyrocumulus had weakened and the “immediate threat of tornadic activity” had decreased — though the message warned of continuing “extreme fire behavior.
The tornadic pyrocumulus has weakened & the immediate threat of tornadic activity has decreased for the #LoyaltonFire. Extreme fire behavior will continue into this evening w/new Fire Tornadoes & strong gusts in excess of 60 mph remain possible. Stay away from the fire area.
— NWS Reno (@NWSReno) August 15, 2020
There were no immediate reports of injuries by late Saturday. But sections of three counties were under mandatory evacuation orders.
This article originally appeared on HuffPost.