A towering “smokenado” captured attention as it swirled dramatically above the Verona Fire in Riverside County, with breathtaking footage quickly making waves on social media Tuesday.
Videos depicted the colossal smoke funnel spiraling into the sky over the fire, which raged near Verona Road and Juniper Springs Road, affecting the unincorporated areas of Green Acres and Homeland.
This haunting whirlwind, known in meteorological terms as a “smoke devil,” emerged as firefighters engaged in a fierce battle against the wildfire. The blaze intensified rapidly on Tuesday afternoon, with officials at one point describing its spread as “critical.”
The Verona Fire was initially reported around 12:20 p.m., swiftly consuming dry brush in the perilous fire conditions typical of Riverside County.
By Tuesday evening, the wildfire had consumed approximately 439 acres and was yet to be contained, as reported by Cal Fire.
Authorities issued mandatory evacuation orders for multiple zones, with additional warnings for surrounding communities to remain vigilant and prepared.
Cal Fire said numerous air tankers from across the state were deployed to attack the flames from above while ground crews worked to establish containment lines through the night. Resources assigned to the firefight included 44 engines, helicopters, bulldozers, and hand crews.
One firefighter suffered minor injuries and was taken to a hospital, while one civilian also sustained an injury, which was reported, though the person declined medical treatment, according to officials.
The Verona Fire erupted as firefighters across Southern California were already stretched thin battling several other blazes, including the massive Sandy Fire near Simi Valley and the Bain Fire in Riverside County.
The cause of the Verona Fire remains under investigation.
