Rare 'Fire Tornado' in Brazil

A rare fire tornado appeared in the Brazilian municipality of Aracatuba on Wednesday, bringing traffic to a halt on a nearby highway and burning thousands of acres.

Though a rare phenomenon, the formation of a fire tornado, or a whirl is quite simple.

When there is a warm updraft of air and convergence of fire, say from a wildfire, a vortex of flame can occur. As the heated air from the fire rises, strong air currents cause flame to spin, shaping it into a tornado.

This area in Brazil ig going through a terrible drought.  Crews in Brazil have contained the fire and may monitor the site of the blaze for the next couple of days.