as in blaze
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 wildfire
The National Park Service had previously ended fireworks at Mount Rushmore National Memorial after 2009, citing wildfire risks in the Black Hills region.
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Brandi D. Addison,
USA Today,
2 July 2026
In 2018, a blaze east of Athens killed more than 100 people, while a massive fire in 2023 which tore through a remote nature reserve in northeastern Greece was the largest wildfire ever recorded in the European Union.
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ABC News,
1 July 2026
The Southwest's economy is crumbling under an unprecedented drought and wildfire season, with Colorado experiencing 80,000 acres burned and firefighter fatalities.
—
Kelly Fleming,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2026
Some communities like Pacific Palisades in Southern California are still waiting on federal dollars through the Federal Emergency Management Agency after last year’s devastating wildfires.
—
Grace Hase,
Mercury News,
1 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for wildfire
Brandi D. Addison,
USA Today,
2 July 2026
In 2018, a blaze east of Athens killed more than 100 people, while a massive fire in 2023 which tore through a remote nature reserve in northeastern Greece was the largest wildfire ever recorded in the European Union.
—
ABC News,
1 July 2026
The Southwest's economy is crumbling under an unprecedented drought and wildfire season, with Colorado experiencing 80,000 acres burned and firefighter fatalities.
—
Kelly Fleming,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2026
Some communities like Pacific Palisades in Southern California are still waiting on federal dollars through the Federal Emergency Management Agency after last year’s devastating wildfires.
—
Grace Hase,
Mercury News,
1 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for wildfire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wildfire
Noun
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Firefighters halted the forward progress of the Happy Fire, a collection of small blazes burning Tuesday along a roadside southeast of Placerville, and evacuation orders affecting about 300 area residents had been downgraded to warnings.
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The crew was overtaken by a fast-moving blaze with no viable escape route or safety zone, the US Wildland Fire Service said.
Noun
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But Grand Junction’s cloudless blue sky gave no hint of the inferno that continued to ravage the Colorado-Utah border less than an hour away.
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The story detailed the first critical hours of the Palisades fire, when thousands of residents had to decide whether and how to flee the inferno.
Noun
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Similarly, a major firefighting operation was underway in southwest Germany near the village of Traisen, where the heat sparked a forest fire in an area that also contained unexploded ordnance.
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This Anglican example near Beaufort, South Carolina, was built in the 1740s, but was largely destroyed by a forest fire in 1886.
Noun
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The Mountain View Grand Resort and Spa has family-friendly activities like hiking, biking, and an evening campfire.
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These 4-ounce Yeti Rambler cups are ideal for a morning espresso or a small pour of scotch by the campfire.
Noun
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There is also plenty of pomp, along with bells, bonfires, and illuminations.
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During mosquito season, Mosquito Joe will spray your yard every three weeks to make your backyard paradise for summer BBQs, pool days and bonfires.
Cite this Entry
“Wildfire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wildfire. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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