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
Regions stricken with the worst drought conditions include the West, where wildfires have been raging, parts of the High Plains, the Southeast and the Mid-Atlantic regions.
—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
5 July 2026
Fireworks from formal rocket shows to impromptu street celebrations can create extremely unhealthy air quality, sometimes rivaling what comes from wildfires.
—
Mary Gilbert,
CNN Money,
4 July 2026
This year’s celebration comes on the heels of a late June warehouse fire in Boyle Heights that released extraordinary amounts of soot and smoke across the county, on par with pollution generated by the previous year’s wildfires.
—
Corinne Purtill,
Los Angeles Times,
4 July 2026
Mandatory evacuations are active for residents east and west of the wildfires, according to the Dolores County Office of Emergency Management.
—
Katie Langford,
Denver Post,
4 July 2026
Many communities in Colorado, including Durango and Vale, have canceled their fireworks displays due to the risk of wildfires.
—
Willem Marx,
NPR,
4 July 2026
Idaho puts legal restrictions on the use and disposal of fireworks to prevent disastrous wildfires could pose harm to residents, neighborhoods and wildlife, according to previous Idaho Statesman reporting.
—
Hali Smith
july 3,
Idaho Statesman,
3 July 2026
But more than a dozen major wildfires are burning now in Colorado, Utah, Nevada, New Mexico, Arizona and other Western states.
—
Paul Rogers,
Mercury News,
3 July 2026
Lara Schwarz studies the effect of wildfires and heat waves on public health at UC Berkeley.
—
Tarini Mehta,
Sacbee.com,
26 June 2026
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
5 July 2026
Fireworks from formal rocket shows to impromptu street celebrations can create extremely unhealthy air quality, sometimes rivaling what comes from wildfires.
—
Mary Gilbert,
CNN Money,
4 July 2026
This year’s celebration comes on the heels of a late June warehouse fire in Boyle Heights that released extraordinary amounts of soot and smoke across the county, on par with pollution generated by the previous year’s wildfires.
—
Corinne Purtill,
Los Angeles Times,
4 July 2026
Mandatory evacuations are active for residents east and west of the wildfires, according to the Dolores County Office of Emergency Management.
—
Katie Langford,
Denver Post,
4 July 2026
Many communities in Colorado, including Durango and Vale, have canceled their fireworks displays due to the risk of wildfires.
—
Willem Marx,
NPR,
4 July 2026
Idaho puts legal restrictions on the use and disposal of fireworks to prevent disastrous wildfires could pose harm to residents, neighborhoods and wildlife, according to previous Idaho Statesman reporting.
—
Hali Smith
july 3,
Idaho Statesman,
3 July 2026
But more than a dozen major wildfires are burning now in Colorado, Utah, Nevada, New Mexico, Arizona and other Western states.
—
Paul Rogers,
Mercury News,
3 July 2026
Lara Schwarz studies the effect of wildfires and heat waves on public health at UC Berkeley.
—
Tarini Mehta,
Sacbee.com,
26 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wildfires
Noun
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Hundreds of firefighters battled blazes in Portugal, Greece and Spain on Sunday, with Spain and Italy sending reinforcements to Portugal to help with a massive blaze burning for more than three days.
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The Aspen Acres fire is one of about 40 uncontained large blazes burning mostly in the West, fueled by months of dry weather and a record lack of snow this past winter in some places.
Noun
-
Six days later, powerful Santa Ana winds kicked up smoldering embers that sparked one of Los Angeles’ most devastating infernos.
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Now, infernos sweep through populous towns and cities.
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
“Wildfires.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wildfires. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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