Rare “ash devil” fire tornado spotted in Trinity Fire in California

On 2026-05-03, firefighters battling the Trinity Fire in Phelan, San Bernardino County, California observed a rare ash devil, a mini tornado of ash, embers, and debris rising from the fire remains. Officials said the vortex did not start new fires and eventually dissipated on its own. The event was reported as a dangerous but localized fire-weather phenomenon.