What is an ash devil? Rare phenomenon forms during wildfire in California

Fox Weather5/3/2026

Summary

A rare phenomenon known as an ash devil was captured on camera during a wildfire in San Bernardino County, California. This occurs when intense heat from the wildfire causes air to rise and spin, creating a rotating column that pulls in ash, embers, and debris, resembling a small tornado.

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Lindy Score Breakdown (V4.2)

1h
Age
1
Sources
from cluster
2
Hours Since Seen
Final Score12/100
CategoryAntiLindy
StatusActive
Recency Multiplier97% (0.5^2/48)
Hero EligibleYes

Score BreakdownRisk 70

Source Reputation: Low-trust source (4/20 pts)
Consensus: Single source - no independent confirmation yet
Age: Breaking news - too recent to assess longevity

Stories gain Lindy status through source reputation, network consensus, and time survival.

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