Fox 11 Los Angeles
It was a mesmerizing and frightening moment Friday night when a fire tornado erupted… as large flames continued to destroy parts of Los Angeles.
The tornado – or “firenado” – was filmed by Fox 11 on the northern flank of the Palisades Fire – as winds turned the massive flames into a stunning weather phenomenon.
Fox11 Adam Kruger marveled at the moment…while explaining that it happens when a breeze meets an updraft – creating a vortex that picks up flames, resulting in the firenado.
The Palisades Fire, which broke out Tuesday, remains the largest blaze to ravage Los Angeles County — it has destroyed more than 21,000 acres in Pacific Palisades and Malibu and is currently only 8% contained, now the most destructive wildfire in Los Angeles History.
As of Saturday morning, there have been 11 confirmed deaths in all Los Angeles fires – more than 100,000 evacuation orders have been issued… that list grows overnight to Brentwood and Encino as the Palisades fire sweeps east.
TMZ.com
As the deadly destruction rages on, Gov. Gavin Newsom and mayor Karen Bass were both heavily criticized about their response – including recent budget cuts to the fire department.