'Incredibly rare' firenado forms amid out-of-control B.C. fire

A fire tornado — commonly referred to as a 'firenado' — was captured on film last week by British Columbia firefighters working the Downton Lake fire on Gun Lake, north of Pemberton.

The firey vortex, which occurred on August 17, is seen rotating along the lake amid the out-of-control wildfire.

In a Facebook post, B.C. Wildfire Services (BCWS) says the "incredibly rare" phenomenon occurred due to a combination of factors, including:

• Strong winds from the southwest fanning the fires;

• A humidity value of 14 per cent at 4 a.m., which is rare for that time; and

• A cold front abruptly ending a multi-day heatwave, causing temperatures to drop 20°C by August 18.

"Another important factor in the formation of these whirls is adequate vorticity, a measure of the atmosphere’s tendency to spin or rotate," BCWS explains.

"The complex terrain, downslope winds, and impact of the passing cold front provided the necessary conditions for the formation of this fire whirl over Gun Lake."

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Firenadoes are not commonly seen in B.C. wildfires, officials say.

They typically form in large, fast-moving wildfires and only under specific conditions.

Due to their unpredictable behaviour and the intense heat they produce, firenadoes present a risk to firefighters, residents, and the environment.

As of Tuesday, the Downton Lake wildfire had reached a size of 7,382 hectares, triggering evacuations and alerts Global news reports.

Officials confirmed structures in the area have been damaged by the fire, although it's unclear how many.

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Header image: file photo/Canva.