Fire Whirl Formation in Complex Terrain

In situ measurements were made using a micrometeorological tower during a prescribed fire in California. Just before the fire front reached the tower a 180 degree shift in wind direction occurred as the up-valley wind was overcome by a mesoscale circulation related to the sea breeze. High-frequency wind velocity data indicate that the wind reversal occurred after the fire whirl formed as shown by images from time-lapse photography and video. Initially, the fire whirl was approximately 5 m in height within the flaming fire front, but soon the vortex entrained ash as it moved behind the fire front and into the burnt area. At this point the full length of the vortex could be observed and was approximately 300 to 400 m AGL in height. It is hypothesized that vertical directional shear is responsible for the vortex that formed aloft since the observed break-in of the sea breeze front occurred later at the surface.