A towering vortex of flames, described as a 'firenado,' erupted from an Oregon wildfire over the weekend as historic blazes continue to ravage the Pacific Northwest. Stunning footage captured near Burns in Harney County shows the phenomenon twisting through landscapes where multiple fires have scorched hundreds of thousands of acres.
The video, recorded by resident Phillip Sitz, depicts a dark funnel reaching into the sky as flames spread across an open field. This terrifying event occurred as dozens of fires burned across the region, sending a vast plume of hazardous smoke over several states.
AccuWeather warned that millions across Washington, Oregon, and Idaho could face 'Dangerous' or 'Very Unhealthy' air quality as the crisis intensifies. The smoke is expected to travel as far east as Illinois and south into Arizona and New Mexico throughout the week.
Near Spokane, Washington, approximately 60,000 people were placed under evacuation orders. Fires in that area alone have destroyed more than 700 homes, businesses, and other structures. AccuWeather estimated preliminary damage and economic losses between $4 billion and $6 billion as of August 4, with the potential for further increases.
Large wildfires are currently most numerous in the eastern two-thirds of Oregon and Washington. Three fires in the Spokane metro area have been particularly destructive. Thirty large fires are burning in central and eastern Oregon, with additional large fires reported in Idaho, Montana, and Utah.
Fire Whirls Explained
While the fiery formation filmed in Oregon resembled a tornado, experts classify most such events as fire whirls. These phenomena develop when extreme heat causes air to rise rapidly, pulling smoke, ash, flames, and burning debris into a violently rotating column. Some fire whirls are only a few feet high, while others can tower hundreds of feet. These spinning vortices can carry glowing embers far beyond the main fire, igniting new blazes and creating rapidly changing conditions for firefighters and nearby communities.
Though most fire whirls develop in remote, already burning areas and dissipate without public threat, they can become extremely dangerous if they intensify or move toward populated areas, homes, roads, or critical infrastructure. A notable destructive example occurred during California's Carr Fire in 2018, where a fire-generated vortex produced winds estimated at 143 mph, contributing to extreme fire behavior.
Widespread Air Quality Concerns
Smoke from the current fires poses a significant threat far beyond the immediate fire zones. AccuWeather meteorologists forecast 'Dangerous' air quality in Spokane from Tuesday through Friday. Portland and Boise are expected to experience 'Very Unhealthy' conditions at times during the week, while Seattle, Missoula, and Salt Lake City could remain at 'Unhealthy' levels. Heavy smoke spreading south and east may also produce 'Poor' or 'Unhealthy' air quality in other parts of the western U.S.
AccuWeather chief meteorologist Jon Porter stated that prolonged smoke settling over regions like the Inland Northwest can worsen respiratory problems and disrupt daily life, including outdoor work and school activities. The effects of major wildfires can linger, with communities facing recurring periods of unhealthy air throughout the fire season.
Children, older adults, and individuals with pre-existing respiratory or heart conditions are particularly vulnerable to the effects of wildfire smoke. Residents are advised to monitor local air-quality forecasts, especially during the morning and evening when smoke can concentrate closer to the ground. Strenuous outdoor activities should be limited during periods of heavy smoke. Indoor exposure can be reduced by keeping windows and doors closed, using air recirculation settings on air conditioning, and employing air purifiers. Wearing a well-fitting N95 or KN95 mask is recommended for those who must venture outdoors.
Pyrocumulus Clouds and Historical Context
The fire whirl observed may also be connected to pyrocumulus clouds, towering formations that occur when intense heat sends hot air, moisture, and smoke high into the atmosphere, allowing wildfires to create localized weather systems. These clouds can generate fierce winds, lightning, and sudden changes that make fires unpredictable, and may contribute to fire whirl formation. Several major Oregon wildfires this year have produced pyrocumulus clouds, with one storm system generating thousands of lightning strikes that started additional fires.
Fire whirls have been linked to catastrophic historical events. A 2013 U.S. Department of Agriculture study examined reports dating back to 1923, including a massive fire-generated vortex after Japan's Great Kanto earthquake that killed an estimated 38,000 people. Fire whirls were also documented during World War II firestorms in Hamburg, Dresden, and Hiroshima.
While the recent vortex in Harney County was unlikely to reach such magnitudes, wildfire experts emphasize that large fire whirls represent some of the most unpredictable and dangerous forms of extreme fire behavior faced by crews on the ground.