Extreme Phenomena: Fire Tornadoes and Climate Change

Wildfires have become a real problem, not only because of the immediate damage they cause. Climate change makes these events more frequent and dangerous.

With each wildfire, even more terrifying phenomena arise, such as firestorms and fire tornadoes.

How is it possible for a fire to generate its own weather? The answer lies in the dynamics of hot air and the favorable conditions that are created.

Remember the Park Fire in California. This fire not only devastated thousands of acres but also gave rise to a fire tornado.

Yes, a fire tornado.

That sounds like something out of an action movie! But, unfortunately, it is anything but fiction, and there have been similar events in history.

In the meantime, you can read:

Like something out of a movie: The family that survived the tornado

Fire Tornadoes: The Storm of Destruction

Fire tornadoes, or fire vortices, are extreme meteorological phenomena that occur in high-intensity wildfires. Can you imagine a column of hot air twisting and forming a whirlwind of flames?

That is exactly what happens. These tornadoes can reach heights of up to 46 meters and speeds of up to 140 kilometers per hour. You would think twice before getting too close!

The pyrocumulonimbus clouds, generated by these fires, are like cloud dragons escaping fire, according to NASA.

In fact, it is possible, thanks to NASA, to see wildfires in real-time via satellite.

These gray, ash-filled clouds can unleash lightning that ignites new fires. It is a destructive cycle that seems never-ending.

Did you know that during the Black Saturday fires in Australia in 2009, clouds reached over 15 kilometers in height? Imagine the devastation that can cause, consuming millions of hectares of land.

A few days ago, the world record for global temperature was also recorded.

Fire Storms: When the Sky Becomes Hell

Fire storms are a phenomenon that occurs when hot air rises rapidly, carrying ashes and particles with it. This hot air cools in the atmosphere and condenses, forming pyrocumulus clouds.

Unlike the fluffy clouds we see on a sunny day, these clouds are dark and threatening, and they can have a devastating impact on the environment.

When a fire grows, the updraft of hot air intensifies, creating even larger and more dangerous clouds.

Can you imagine being in the path of a cloud that not only throws embers but also generates lightning? It is a terrifying scenario, and it is becoming more common due to climate change.

Impact on Health and Climate Change

Now, let's talk about something that concerns us all: health. The smoke that emanates from wildfires is laden with toxic substances that can exacerbate respiratory and cardiovascular problems.

If fire storms perpetuate the fires, the level of smoke in the air skyrockets, further complicating the situation for those living nearby.

With climate change on the horizon, experts are wondering if we will see more fire tornadoes and fire storms in the coming years. The answer, although unsettling, seems to be a resounding yes.

In 2019, Australia experienced more fire storms than in the previous 20 years combined. So what awaits us then?

Wildfires are much more than flames that devour the land; they are complex phenomena that disrupt our climate and threaten our health.

So the next time you hear about a fire, don't forget to think about the tornadoes and fire storms that might be lurking. Fire doesn't just burn, it also flies!