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
Insurance companies have restricted business and dropped large numbers of California customers in recent years due to losses from past wildfires and concerns about the rising risks of major ones in the future.
—
Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Chronic exposure to pollution from wildfires has been linked to tens of thousands of deaths annually in the United States, according to a new study.
—CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026
In addition to Oklahoma, the agency is predicting that all of Kansas, much of Texas and parts of Colorado and New Mexico will receive above-average chances of wildfires in America's central region.
—Josh Kelly, Oklahoman, 31 Jan. 2026
Chile has faced a decade of severe drought, which experts say contributed to the spread of recent deadly wildfires.
—Matt O'Brien, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2026
Funding was intended to coincide with the one-year anniversary of the devastating wildfires.
—City News Service, Daily News, 30 Jan. 2026
The lawsuit seeks financial compensation for destruction of the campus, as well as injunctive relief aimed at preventing Edison from causing more wildfires in the future.
—Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
Hallyburton emphasized the mounting threat of wildfires, which fire managers have found to be particularly dangerous where development meets wilderness.
—Mark Dee
january 27, Idaho Statesman, 28 Jan. 2026
That’s not a great combo with a biome known for wildfires.
—Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 28 Jan. 2026
Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Chronic exposure to pollution from wildfires has been linked to tens of thousands of deaths annually in the United States, according to a new study.
—CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026
In addition to Oklahoma, the agency is predicting that all of Kansas, much of Texas and parts of Colorado and New Mexico will receive above-average chances of wildfires in America's central region.
—Josh Kelly, Oklahoman, 31 Jan. 2026
Chile has faced a decade of severe drought, which experts say contributed to the spread of recent deadly wildfires.
—Matt O'Brien, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2026
Funding was intended to coincide with the one-year anniversary of the devastating wildfires.
—City News Service, Daily News, 30 Jan. 2026
The lawsuit seeks financial compensation for destruction of the campus, as well as injunctive relief aimed at preventing Edison from causing more wildfires in the future.
—Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
Hallyburton emphasized the mounting threat of wildfires, which fire managers have found to be particularly dangerous where development meets wilderness.
—Mark Dee
january 27, Idaho Statesman, 28 Jan. 2026
That’s not a great combo with a biome known for wildfires.
—Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 28 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wildfires
Noun
-
From the trailhead, follow blue blazes on a short walk through a shady forest before crossing an open field underneath power lines then back into the trees again.—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Ventura County fire officials implemented those changes for similar blazes later last year.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Sounds of gunfire had faded; there were no new bonfires.—
Benjamin Wallace-Wells,
New Yorker,
17 Jan. 2026
-
In Iran’s capital, Tehran, witnesses said recent mornings showed no new signs of bonfires lit the night before or debris in the streets.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
15 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wildfires.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wildfires. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
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