Park Fire: Fire plume rotation

Summary

A video captured a rare phenomenon during the Park Fire, where a large plume of smoke rotated like a tornado. Filmed from an Alert California camera near Mineral, the footage shows a rotational column of smoke that was predicted by a meteorologist earlier that morning. He had warned that the fire’s behavior near Big Bend could cause this type of rotation. The meteorologist also cautioned against taking photos of such a column, advising firefighters to stay focused on safety. The footage, shot between 3:15 and 3:40 PM, vividly illustrates the intense and unpredictable nature of wildfires.

Takeaways

• 😀 A large plume of smoke was observed from the Park Fire, rotating like a tornado.
• 😀 The video was recorded between 3:15 and 3:40 PM yesterday afternoon from the Alert California camera on Morgan Summit.
• 😀 The fire's most active area was near Mineral, east of where the video was recorded.
• 😀 The footage captured a rotating column of smoke from the Park Fire, which was a key point of interest.
• 😀 The meteorologist at the Calfire briefing had predicted the possibility of a rotating fire cloud hours before it occurred.
• 😀 The meteorologist mentioned that a big bend in the terrain could help the plume rotate.
• 😀 The meteorologist warned that if people notice a rotating column, they should leave the area immediately.
• 😀 The video was captured by a stationary Alert California camera, not by any firefighter.
• 😀 The Calfire briefing cautioned against stopping to take pictures of rotating columns while in the field.
• 😀 The meteorologist’s warning emphasized safety, advising to avoid photographing the fire's rotation when an Air Attack is involved.

Q & A

What phenomenon is captured in the video?

The video captures a rotating column of smoke, resembling a fire tornado, produced by the Park Fire.

When was the video recorded?

The video was recorded between 3:15 and 3:40 PM on the previous day.

Where was the video recorded from?

The video was recorded from the Alert California camera near Morgan Summit, which is located east of Mineral.

What was the meteorologist's prediction about the fire's behavior?

The meteorologist predicted that the fire could cause a rotating smoke column, similar to a fire tornado, based on the geography of the area around Big Bend.

What warning did the meteorologist give to firefighters and the public?

The meteorologist warned that if anyone encounters a rotating column of smoke, they should leave the area immediately and not attempt to take pictures.

What was the specific reason the meteorologist mentioned a rotating column of smoke might occur?

The meteorologist noted that the terrain around Big Bend could cause the plume of smoke to rotate, creating the phenomenon of a fire tornado.

What did the meteorologist emphasize during the fire briefing about safety?

The meteorologist emphasized that firefighters should not stop to take pictures if they see a rotating column of smoke, prioritizing safety instead.

Was the video recorded by a firefighter's camera?

No, the video was captured by a stationary Alert California camera, not by any firefighter.

Why is it important not to stop and take pictures during such an event?

It is important not to stop and take pictures because of the inherent danger posed by unpredictable and rapidly changing fire behavior, which could endanger lives.

What is the significance of the rotating smoke column in the context of wildfire behavior?

The rotating smoke column, or fire tornado, is a rare and dangerous phenomenon that occurs under certain environmental conditions, and it indicates intense fire activity with potentially hazardous effects.