Fire tornadoes are rare phenomena that are caused by a combination of factors.

Photo: AP

Firefighters from the American county of Los Angeles, in California, are fighting a forest fire that has already affected some 60 hectares, although so far no buildings have been threatened.

In the midst of the battle to contain the flames, they had to face a 

'tornado of fire'.

Images captured by the KTLA channel on August 10 show a 

swirling vortex of flames

 and a

 rising plume of smoke, 

while a fire hydrant helicopter drops water to try to put it out.

According to the Air Operations Section of the county Fire Department, the phenomenon, formed in the Gorman district, northwest of Los Angeles, is the result of elements "dry and receptive fuels and erratic winds" related to the "intense heating of the surface".

Incredible Sky5 video of a #firetornado at the #samfire in northwestern Los Angeles County.

#BREAKING https://t.co/uLGGSWJasU pic.twitter.com/JRsWMzLGzm

— KTLA (@KTLA) August 11, 2022

(With information from RT in Spanish)