'Smokenado' Spotted as Valley Fire Burns in Southern California

A “smokenado” was spotted by a medical technician on September 6, as the San Diego Fire Brigade reported “unpredictable behavior” from the Valley Fire east of the city.

CAL Fire said the fire had reached more than 17,000 acres and was 3 percent contained by the evening of September 7.

Adrian Gutierrez, an EMT, was sent to the area to assist firefighters with any ambulance support they may need, and captured footage of the smokenado as it whirled nearby.

California Gov Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency in five counties as the state battles one of its worst ever fire seasons. Credit: Adrian Gutierrez via Storyful