fire whirl

[ fahyuhr wurl, hwurl ]

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: Compare fire tornado ( def ).

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of fire whirl¹

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

A fire whirl — sometimes called a fire tornado — is a “spinning column of fire” that forms when intense heat and turbulent winds combine, according to the National Park Service.

From Seattle Times

A fire whirl — sometimes called a fire tornado — is a “spinning column of fire” that forms when intense heat and turbulent winds combine, according to the National Park Service.

From Seattle Times

A fire whirl is generated when hot air surges upward and begins to spin.

From Los Angeles Times

The fire whirl, sometimes called a fire tornado, and short-range spotting were the result of “dry, receptive fuels and erratic winds from intense surface heating,” the Fire Department’s Air Operations Section said in a tweet.

From Los Angeles Times

In September, evacuations were ordered in Old Station, as strong winds created a “fire whirl,” a tornado-like phenomenon that can fling flaming embers miles ahead of it.

From Washington Post