Scientists have turned fire tornadoes into a potential eco-friendly weapon for rapidly destroying offshore oil spills. Credit: AI/ScienceDaily.com When a major oil spill occurs at sea, emergency crews often face a difficult choice. They can allow the oil to spread across the water, threatening coastlines and marine life, or they can set it on fire. Burning the oil, a technique known as an in situ burn, can prevent the slick from expanding. However, it also produces thick clouds of black smoke,