Fire Elemental

U.S. Department of the Interior


Firewhirls are formed by intense flames and turbulent winds and can burn for hours at temperatures approaching 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Creating a pillar of fire and ash, firewhirls are commonly seen at wildfires, but rarely photographed. This one was recently snapped at the Beaver Creek Fire in Colorado. Photo by Trey Bolt, Inciweb. — with National Interagency Fire Center.