wildfires

noun

plural of wildfire
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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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of wildfires Destructive flooding and even wildfires kicked up by the strong winds were possible in the islands. — Jennifer Sinco Kelleher, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2026 But some escape initial suppression efforts and grow into major wildfires. — Brian Maass, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026 Phil Garrigan, chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council, said the number of wildfires seen this year had already surpassed all-time records. — Nick Duffy, NBC news, 14 Aug. 2026 Downwind from wildfires in North AmericaandEurope, the sky turns orange and the air tastes gritty. — ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026 Parts of France, enduring a fifth summer heat wave and still reeling from devastating wildfires, are experiencing what scientists classify as exceptional drought. — Dominique Soguel, Christian Science Monitor, 14 Aug. 2026 In the meantime, other critics of Newsom’s proposal said what the governor is seeking to do would effectively pass some of the costs of wildfires caused by utility companies on to insurance companies. — Linh Tat, Daily News, 14 Aug. 2026 Some of Europe’s biggest insurance companies told CNBC this week that the region isn’t adequately prepared to deal with the risks of wildfires and weather disasters, leaving a substantial share of financial damage uninsured. — Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 7 Aug. 2026 Such burning can significantly reduce the intensity and destructiveness of wildfires, many fire professionals and researchers agree. — Murphy Woodhouse, NPR, 7 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wildfires
  1. blazes
  2. infernos
  3. bonfires
Noun
  • The smoke from the blazes, coupled with fires in neighboring Canada, worsened air quality for millions across the country.
    — Simmone Shah, Time, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Now, authorities say a man is responsible for starting one of those fires — and has admitted to igniting multiple previous blazes in the same area dating back to last year, according to prosecutors.
    — Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of blazes
Noun
  • The soaring temperatures have caused raging infernos across southern France and Spain, with European wildfires burning through 56% more land than in prior years.
    — Oliver Balch, Fortune, 27 July 2026
  • From a military perspective though, this strike, and the infernos which have engulfed other Wildberries facilities, have some important lessons for the rest of the world.
    — David Hambling, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
Definition of infernos
Noun
  • There may be fewer seafood cookouts and bonfires, but the weather is lovely and there’s still plenty to do.
    — Lindsay Cohn, Travel + Leisure, 9 Aug. 2026
  • The ban prohibits most outdoor fires, including those for trash disposal, yard debris, land clearing, bonfires, and campfires not contained in structures such as fire rings.
    — Robbie Griffiths, NPR, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of bonfires

Browse Nearby Words

wildfire
wildfires
wilding
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Cite this Entry

“Wildfires.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wildfires. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on wildfires

Nglish: Translation of wildfires for Spanish Speakers

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