The fire-induced tornado developed within the Deer Creek Fire just after 1 p.m. MT on Saturday, July 12, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). The "firenado," which was given an EF-2 rating, lasted for about 12 minutes. Tornados ranked as an EF-2 are deemed "significant" and exhibit a wind speed of 111-136 miles per hour.

At just over 12,900 acres, the fire is bigger than all the other western slope fires combined and is one of several fires that prompted Colorado Gov. Jared Polis to issue a disaster declaration on Sunday.