What is a fire whirlwind?

A fire whirlwind, also known as a fire tornado or fire whirly, is a phenomenon that occurs when intense heat from a fire creates a swirling column of air that lifts flames and embers into the atmosphere. This can happen during wildfires or large structural fires, where the combination of rising hot air and turbulent winds creates a vortex. Fire whirlwinds can be extremely dangerous, as they can spread fire rapidly and increase the intensity of the blaze. Additionally, they can reach significant heights and produce unpredictable behavior in the fire.