‘Tornado threatened’, new large-scale wildfires warned
Firefighters are struggling to bring the deadly wildfires under control in California, USA. In the meantime, meteorologists say that in the current situation, the fire-affected areas are at risk of ‘tornadoes in the fire’. This is a rare but dangerous condition where wildfires create their own weather.
The National Weather Service warned on Tuesday that winds were high in areas where wildfires were raging. Besides, the environment is very dry. Together, the two create a “particularly dangerous situation.
The Meteorological Department also said that large new fires could occur in this situation. The forecast did not mention tornadoes in the fire. However, meteorologist Todd Hall said there was a possibility of such tornadoes forming in the current extreme weather.
Millions of people have already been forced to leave their homes due to wildfires in Los Angeles, California. Vast areas were burned in the fire.
The main reason behind the spread of this fire is the stormy winds named Santa Ana. Recently, there was a glimmer of hope in controlling the fire as the wind speed decreased slightly. But the wind speed has increased again. This can cause the fire to spread further.
The Los Angeles wildfire began on January 7. The Palaces and Eton fires are said to be the worst. At least 145 square kilometers have been burned in these two fires. Geographically, this area is two and a half times the Manhattan area of New York. At least 12,000 structures have been destroyed in the fires. Another 57,000 structures are at risk, according to the local police department.