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
Lara, who has been asked to step down by critics over his handling of insurers’ claims practices, has defended the task force and his handling of the wildfires, noting his department is investigating insurers.
—
Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026
Around 85 percent of the wildfires that start on National Forest land are human-caused, and 78 percent of those are sparked within a half-mile of a road.
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 19 Mar. 2026
The heat and dry weather could also increase the risk of wildfires.
—Kenton Gewecke, ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026
Hotter conditions are expected to dry out grasses faster, making wildfires a growing threat for Texans – particularly in the spring, when fast-spreading wildfires are most common.
—Julia James, Dallas Morning News, 18 Mar. 2026
Four wildfires, Morrill, Cottonwood, Anderson Bridge and Road 203, have set around 827,933 acres ablaze across the state, according to USA TODAY's data.
—Julia Gomez, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026
At a news conference on Monday afternoon, LA County Fire Department Chief Anthony Marrone said the heat event is not expected to be accompanied by strong winds, which are usually a factor in fast-growing wildfires.
—Chelsea Hylton, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2026
Experts say California could prove a testing ground for a carrot-and-stick approach to preventing the collapse of insurance markets as growing wildfires, hurricanes and other climate disasters shake up the industry in other states.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 16 Mar. 2026
The data matches records of episodic droughts in Europe that may have triggered local wildfires.
—Nidhi Sharma, Popular Science, 13 Mar. 2026
Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026
Around 85 percent of the wildfires that start on National Forest land are human-caused, and 78 percent of those are sparked within a half-mile of a road.
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 19 Mar. 2026
The heat and dry weather could also increase the risk of wildfires.
—Kenton Gewecke, ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026
Hotter conditions are expected to dry out grasses faster, making wildfires a growing threat for Texans – particularly in the spring, when fast-spreading wildfires are most common.
—Julia James, Dallas Morning News, 18 Mar. 2026
Four wildfires, Morrill, Cottonwood, Anderson Bridge and Road 203, have set around 827,933 acres ablaze across the state, according to USA TODAY's data.
—Julia Gomez, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026
At a news conference on Monday afternoon, LA County Fire Department Chief Anthony Marrone said the heat event is not expected to be accompanied by strong winds, which are usually a factor in fast-growing wildfires.
—Chelsea Hylton, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2026
Experts say California could prove a testing ground for a carrot-and-stick approach to preventing the collapse of insurance markets as growing wildfires, hurricanes and other climate disasters shake up the industry in other states.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 16 Mar. 2026
The data matches records of episodic droughts in Europe that may have triggered local wildfires.
—Nidhi Sharma, Popular Science, 13 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wildfires
Noun
-
But the conditions now taking shape increasingly resemble those that in recent years have fueled some of the region's most destructive blazes.—
Emily Mae Czachor,
CBS News,
21 Mar. 2026
-
No one was injured in any of the blazes.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Evenings became the anchor of the trip, with bonfires, stargazing, and celebrations that brought everyone together despite the wide age spread.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Although violence has occasionally occurred at the beach, a popular hangout near LAX known for large parties and bonfires, the surrounding area has had lower violent-crime rates, historically, than other parts of the city.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wildfires.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wildfires. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.
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