fire whirl

American  

[fahyuhr wurl, hwurl] / ˈfaɪər ˌwɜrl, ˌʰwɜrl /

noun

Meteorology.

1. a tornadolike phenomenon created when turbulent air rapidly rising from the site of burning, as in a forest fire, sucks flaming gases, embers, and other fiery debris up into a twisting column, sometimes hundreds of feet in height.

   The fire whirl seen in this video occurred during a fire that has claimed 1,200 acres south of the dam.

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Etymology

Origin of fire whirl

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

fire whirl

As a result, the fire whirl consumed oil more rapidly while producing significantly less pollution.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 5, 2026

On Sunday, the National Weather Service tweeted a video of a fire tornado, or "fire whirl," from San Diego County's 1,500-acre Chaparral Fire.

From Fox News ● Aug. 30, 2021

The fire whirl was strong enough to be picked up on the National Weather Service’s radar, meteorologist Charles Smith said from Medford.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 8, 2021

It was torched just two years ago by the deadly Carr Fire - infamously remembered for producing a huge tornado-like fire whirl.

From Washington Times ● Sep. 29, 2020

Residences are widely scattered in the area, which was torched just two years ago by the deadly Carr Fire — infamously remembered for producing a huge tornado-like fire whirl.

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 28, 2020