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 Schwarz studies the effect of wildfires and heat waves on public health at UC Berkeley.
—
Tarini Mehta,
Sacbee.com,
26 June 2026
Using security video, cellphone data and his own digital trail, including questions to ChatGPT about whether cigarettes can start wildfires, prosecutors placed Rinderknecht at the ignition point shortly before the Lachman Fire was reported.
—
Madeline Morrison,
NBC news,
25 June 2026
The acquisition of the Airbus A319 forms part of a global effort to boost aerial firefighting capabilities due to an uptick in extreme wildfires caused by climate change.
—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
25 June 2026
Rinderknecht pleaded not guilty to starting what became one of the most destructive wildfires in California history.
—
ABC News,
25 June 2026
Miami-Dade County remains under an Air Quality Alert, as smoke from wildfires that began last week continues to affect the area.
—
Sarah Perkel,
USA Today,
25 June 2026
Less water also boosts the state’s risk for devastating wildfires and can cause insect infestations or forest diseases to spread.
—
Noelle Phillips,
Denver Post,
18 June 2026
One of the wildfires started in the early evening in the 1500 block of East Mulberry Avenue, not far from Link Lane.
—
Jesse Sarles,
CBS News,
12 June 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
Tarini Mehta,
Sacbee.com,
26 June 2026
Using security video, cellphone data and his own digital trail, including questions to ChatGPT about whether cigarettes can start wildfires, prosecutors placed Rinderknecht at the ignition point shortly before the Lachman Fire was reported.
—
Madeline Morrison,
NBC news,
25 June 2026
The acquisition of the Airbus A319 forms part of a global effort to boost aerial firefighting capabilities due to an uptick in extreme wildfires caused by climate change.
—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
25 June 2026
Rinderknecht pleaded not guilty to starting what became one of the most destructive wildfires in California history.
—
ABC News,
25 June 2026
Miami-Dade County remains under an Air Quality Alert, as smoke from wildfires that began last week continues to affect the area.
—
Sarah Perkel,
USA Today,
25 June 2026
Less water also boosts the state’s risk for devastating wildfires and can cause insect infestations or forest diseases to spread.
—
Noelle Phillips,
Denver Post,
18 June 2026
One of the wildfires started in the early evening in the 1500 block of East Mulberry Avenue, not far from Link Lane.
—
Jesse Sarles,
CBS News,
12 June 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wildfires
Noun
-
The nearest air quality monitor to the fires indicates that the worst pollution was detected on June 17 and has fluctuated in the following days depending on wind direction, weather and emergency workers’ efforts to contain the blazes.
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Nobody was injured in the blazes.
Noun
-
Now, infernos sweep through populous towns and cities.
Noun
-
Shacks, of which there were nine along the peninsula, would compete to outdo each other, lighting bonfires on the beach, supplying endless kegs, and inviting live bands.
-
Dozens of municipalities in northern Spain also canceled traditional bonfires because of elevated wildfire risk.
Cite this Entry
“Wildfires.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wildfires. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
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