wildfires
n. countable B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈwaɪɫdˌfaɪɝz// UK //wˈaɪldfaɪəz// wild·fires
n. large, dangerous fires that spread very quickly through forests or grasslands.
n. uncontrolled fires occurring in wildland areas, such as forests, shrublands, or grasslands, often exacerbated by drought and high winds.
The dry summer caused several wildfires in the mountains.
Emergency services worked around the clock to evacuate residents as the wildfires approached the edge of the town.
Ecologists note that while certain ecosystems rely on periodic wildfires for seed germination, the increasing frequency and intensity of these blazes now threaten to permanently alter local biodiversity.
Usage
Commonly used in the plural to refer to a series of fire events or the general phenomenon.