Crews battle large grass fire near homes, vehicles in Parker County

Crews are battling a grass fire in Parker County Tuesday afternoon.

According to the Texas A&M Forest Service, the Red Bank Fire started at 8:45 a.m. on Tuesday. It is currently 200 acres and 0% contained.

Houses, vehicles and other structures can be seen near the fire from the CBS News Texas chopper.

"Fire tornadoes" were seen forming along the fire. 

What is a "fire tornado?"

A fire tornado is not like a regular tornado. 

Tornadoes are attached to a cloud; a fire tornado is not. 

It forms from the intense heat rising from the fire. The winds stretch and tighten the rotation, so it does start to spin. The fire creates its own rotating updraft, so it does not have to be related to a cloud, and it can carry flames and embers downwind. Fire tornadoes can make the fire spread even faster. 

This is a developing story. CBS News Texas will provide updates as they become available.