Rare ‘fire tornado’ caught on camera in Brazil

A bizarre 'fire tornado’ has swept through the Brazilian city of Aracatuba. The rare phenomenon, also known as a 'fire whirl' and a 'fire devil', is caused by strong dry winds that can ignite wildfires.

A whirlwind of flames - reaching several metres into the sky - danced across fields before it disappeared. Traffic came to a halt on a nearby road as the 'tornado' travelled across the farmland.

Months of drought have seen brush fires spark across Brazil. Aractuba, in southern Sao Paulo state, last saw rain three months ago.

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