as in blazes
a fire in a wild area (such as a forest) that is not controlled and that can burn a large area very quickly
The recent wildfires were made worse by the strong winds.
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Recent Examples of wildfires
Now, as part of the Netflix Is a Joke comedy festival, Cole is looking forward to doing a set for Altadena residents to raise money for ongoing relief in the aftermath of the 2025 wildfires that decimated much of the area.
—
Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
But firefighters were hoping that the region would receive the sort of abundant spring rains that keep chaparral wet for longer periods of time, especially in the backcountry, where most big wildfires occur.
—Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
Curdy, who spent nearly 40 years fighting wildfires, said the advanced maneuvers that pilots use come at a high cost.
—Austin Amestoy, NPR, 30 Apr. 2026
Where are the wildfires in Georgia?
—Irene Wright, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
Officials said Lopez played a key leadership role during recent wildfires, helping coordinate crews to ensure schools had proper air filtration systems in place.
—City News Service, Daily News, 24 Apr. 2026
In Maui, Hawaii, Maui Mall Village hosts the Maui Food Bank Holiday Drive to combat food insecurity, which has been a major local challenge following the wildfires in 2023.
—Kristin Mueller, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Davila explained that the past couple of months have seen minimal precipitation, not only in the Phoenix area but also in the Arizona High Country, including Payson, where one of the two active wildfires is burning.
—Jose R. Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 21 Dec. 2024
If all goes right, the project will clean polluted water, improve hydrology, provide flood protection and reduce the likelihood and severity of wildfires.
—Rebecca Blackwell, Sun Sentinel, 20 Dec. 2024
Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
But firefighters were hoping that the region would receive the sort of abundant spring rains that keep chaparral wet for longer periods of time, especially in the backcountry, where most big wildfires occur.
—Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
Curdy, who spent nearly 40 years fighting wildfires, said the advanced maneuvers that pilots use come at a high cost.
—Austin Amestoy, NPR, 30 Apr. 2026
Where are the wildfires in Georgia?
—Irene Wright, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
Officials said Lopez played a key leadership role during recent wildfires, helping coordinate crews to ensure schools had proper air filtration systems in place.
—City News Service, Daily News, 24 Apr. 2026
In Maui, Hawaii, Maui Mall Village hosts the Maui Food Bank Holiday Drive to combat food insecurity, which has been a major local challenge following the wildfires in 2023.
—Kristin Mueller, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Davila explained that the past couple of months have seen minimal precipitation, not only in the Phoenix area but also in the Arizona High Country, including Payson, where one of the two active wildfires is burning.
—Jose R. Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 21 Dec. 2024
If all goes right, the project will clean polluted water, improve hydrology, provide flood protection and reduce the likelihood and severity of wildfires.
—Rebecca Blackwell, Sun Sentinel, 20 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wildfires
Noun
-
Nearly half of large eastern wildfires now burn in densely populated areas, putting far more communities at risk than western blazes that typically occur in remote regions.—
Seth Borenstein,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Scientists have said that devastating wildfires will become more common in a warming world, and studies have shown that blazes will not only be more frequent, but also more destructive, as a result of climate change.—
Denise Chow,
NBC news,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Now, infernos sweep through populous towns and cities.—
Susie Neilson,
San Francisco Chronicle,
2 July 2025
Noun
-
This setup is ultra-welcoming and can accommodate a large crew—bring on the s'mores and bonfires this summer.—
Sarah Lyon,
The Spruce,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Beach bonfires are now banned along the Outer Banks due to the worsening drought in North Carolina.—
Mark Price
April 23,
Charlotte Observer,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wildfires.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wildfires. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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