A rare phenomenon, known as a fire devil, was caught on camera as it sent a vortex of fire and ash spiralling into the night sky as Portugal battled wild fires.
The apocalyptic-looking sight was filmed on Saturday evening by Portuguese broadcaster TVI as 1,000 firefighters battled five wildfires this weekend.
A ‘fire devil’ is a whirl of fire which looks like a tornado and consists of a core of ash and an invisible rotating pocket of air.
Fire devils are created when a wildfire or firestorm creates its own wind, which then morphs into a vortex of fire.
Portugal has been devastated by fires this year as the country suffered from drought.
The deadliest fire in Portugal’s history killed 64 people in June when it devastated the central region of Pedrogao Grande.
Many died on a road in their cars as they tried to flee the rampant flames.
The Civil Protection Agency stated that 90 percent of the fires this year were either intentionally or accidentally started by people.
A rare phenomenon, known as a fire devil, has been caught on camera as it sent spirals of fire swirling in the air in Portugal as the country continues to battle wild fires
The apocalyptic-looking sight was filmed by Portuguese broadcaster TVI as 1,000 firefighters battled five wildfires this weekend
A ‘fire devil’ is a whirl of fire and ash which looks like a tornado. It consists of a core of ash and an invisible rotating pocket of air. They are created when a wildfire creates its own wind
