Newly Released Footage Shows 'Fire Tornado' That Killed California Firefighter

Newly released footage from California officials shows what they called a “fire tornado” burning in Redding as the Carr Fire entered the city on July 26, resulting in the death of one firefighter.

A report from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL Fire) said the spinning column of fire, which had a base the size of three football fields and was aided by winds up to 165 miles an hour, killed Jeremiah “Jeremy” Stoke in seconds, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

In a statement, CAL Fire said this footage was taken as crews on the ground conducted rescues and evacuations. Other footage from July 26 shows a family escaping the path of the wildfire.

By August 15, officials said the Carr Fire had burned 214,527 acres and was at 69 percent containment, with a total of 1,077 homes destroyed. Credit: CAL Fire via Storyful