Rare ‘ash devil’ spotted during SoCal wildfire
A rare 'ash devil' was captured on video during the Trinity Fire, a fast-moving wildfire in Phelan, San Bernardino County. The blaze scorched approximately 19 acres but was half-contained with no structural damage reported. The phenomenon, a spinning vortex of ash and debris, poses risks to firefighters by spreading embers and reducing visibility.
- ▪The Trinity Fire burned about 18.6 acres in San Bernardino County and was half-contained by firefighting crews.
- ▪An 'ash devil' formed near Phelan, created by extreme heat lifting ash and debris into a swirling column.
- ▪Ash devils can spread embers, ignite spot fires, and create hazardous conditions for firefighters.
- ▪The San Bernardino County Fire Department and other agencies responded to the fire.
- ▪Such phenomena are more commonly seen near volcanic activity, like at Hawaii’s Kilauea or Indonesia’s Mount Sinabung.
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Metro Rare ‘ash devil’ spotted during SoCal wildfire By Daniel Farr Published May 2, 2026, 10:58 p.m. ET A fast-moving vegetation fire in Phelan is now half contained after scorching roughly 19 acres, but it’s the unusual sight captured on video that’s turning heads. The Trinity Fire, which ignited in San Bernardino County, drew a coordinated response from Cal Fire, the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District, Victorville Fire Department and Apple Valley Fire. Their joint effort kept the blaze to 18.6 acres with no reported damage to structures. 4 A rare phenomena: an ash devil. San Bernardino County Fire 4 It erupted near Phelan just before noon Friday.
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