"Fire tornado" hits northeastern Serbia: What is this phenomenon, and is there room for panic

Illustration; Photo: Profimedia/Blm/Zuma Press/Eric Coulter

A wildfire that has been raging in Deliblato Sands (Deliblatska Pescara) in northeastern Serbia for a month now has created the conditions for the appearance of a strong vortex of air filled with flames, smoke and burning particles. A video of this phenomenon, known as fire tornado, appeared on August 20, when the wildfire reached one of its peaks.

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A fire tornado occurs when extreme heat from a large fire causes a strong upward current of air, which begins to spin. Flames, smoke, ash and burning parts of vegetation can all make their way into such a vortex.

In the simplest terms, the intense heat of the fire "pulls" the air upward, and the wind and local air circulation give that column rotation. The vortex can then look like a miniature tornado, only with fire at its center.

Is it actually a tornado?

Experts distinguish between an ordinary fire vortex and a rare, true fire tornado. Fire vortices can be relatively small, but large ones can reach the intensity of a small tornado. True fire tornadoes are a much rarer and more extreme phenomenon.

For this reason, it is more accurate to describe the event in Deliblato Sands as a "tornado-like fire vortex", even if the term "fire tornado" is understandable and headline-friendly.

Why is it dangerous?

A fire vortex is not only a spectacular sight. It can suddenly increase the intensity of a wildfire, change the direction of the spread of flames and raise ash, embers and burning material into the air. Large fire vortices therefore pose a serious challenge and danger for firefighters and can contribute to a rapid spread of fires.

In Deliblato Sands, the fire engulfed a large area during August, and due to its scale and difficult conditions, firefighters and aircraft from abroad have arrived to help Serbia.

A fire tornado is therefore not a "tornado of fire" in the literal sense, but an extreme consequence of a large fire, a combination of immense heat, strong updrafts and rotating air that can create a scene that looks as if the fire itself has turned into a tornado.

(Telegraf.rs)