B2nounenvironmentnature
US/ˈwaɪld.faɪr/
UK/ˈwaɪld.faɪə/
a large fire that spreads quickly through forests or dry grass and is hard to control
In context
Strong winds caused the wildfire to spread toward several small villages.
Thousands of people were forced to leave their homes because of the wildfire.
Hot, dry summers make a wildfire more likely in many parts of the world.
Words that go with wildfire
noun + noun
- wildfire seasonWildfire season now starts earlier than it did twenty years ago.
- wildfire smokeWildfire smoke made the air unsafe to breathe for days.
- wildfire riskClimate change has increased the wildfire risk in dry regions.
- wildfire damageInsurance companies are struggling to pay for wildfire damage.
verb + noun
- fight a wildfireFirefighters from three states came to fight the wildfire.
- contain a wildfireCrews finally managed to contain the wildfire on Sunday.
adjective + noun
- a raging wildfireA raging wildfire destroyed hundreds of homes in one night.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
The wildfires burned down in the forest.Correct: A wildfire burned through the forest.