KTLA

Intense ‘fire tornado’ captured on video during L.A. County brush fire

Firefighters battled a fast-moving brush fire in hilly, open terrain in northwestern Los Angeles County Wednesday afternoon.

The “Sam Fire” had burned approximately 150 acres in Gorman, near Old Ridge Route and Lancaster Road as of Wednesday evening, and was 60% contained, according to the L.A. County Fire Department.


No structures were damaged and no one was injured.

Fire crews remained on the scene throughout the evening.

Sky5 captured dramatic footage of an impressive “fire tornado” that developed during the brush fire battle amid the hot and dry conditions.

Fire tornadoes, sometimes called “fire devils” or “firenadoes,” occur when extreme, rising heat is met with turbulent wind conditions. The vortex of the tornado sucks in combustible gases and burning debris.