WILDFIRE Meaning and
Definition
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Wildfire is a term commonly used to describe an uncontrolled and rapidly spreading fire that engulfs vegetation and spreads across large areas of land. It refers to a natural disaster characterized by the uncontrollable and indiscriminate nature of its spread, often being fuelled by dry conditions, strong winds, and combustible materials.
Wildfires typically originate from a small ignition source, such as lightning strikes, human activities, or volcanic eruptions. As the flames ignite dry vegetation, they quickly grow in intensity and size, driven by the availability of fuel and prevailing weather conditions. Wind plays a crucial role in wildfire behavior, as it carries burning embers, allowing for the fire to leap and spread to new areas.
These infernos can affect forested and grassland areas, consuming trees, shrubs, and other organic material within their path. As a result, wildfires pose significant risks to ecosystems, human lives, and infrastructure, as they can destroy habitats, contaminate air quality, and cause widespread property damage.
Efforts to control and extinguish wildfires involve the use of specialized firefighting equipment, aerial support, and coordinated ground operations. In addition, preventive measures, such as controlled burns and firebreaks, are implemented to limit the occurrence and severity of future wildfires.
Given their potential for devastation and their ecological impact, predicting, managing, and suppressing wildfires are crucial aspects of firefighting, conservation, and land management practices.
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Inflammable materials difficult to quench after being fired; a disease in sheep; a sort of lightning unaccompanied by thunder.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for WILDFIRE *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for WILDFIRE
Etymology of WILDFIRE
The word "wildfire" can be divided into two parts: "wild" and "fire".
The term "wild" derives from the Old English word "wilde", which comes from the Proto-Germanic language. It ultimately finds its roots in the Proto-Indo-European base "*welt-", meaning "wooded" or "forest". The early sense of "wild" referred to something untamed, uncultivated, or growing in a natural environment like a forest.
The word "fire" has Old English origins and can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "*fōr". This term, in turn, comes from the Proto-Indo-European base "*pūr-", meaning "fire". It is worth noting that the Proto-Indo-European base is responsible for various fire-related terms across different Indo-European languages.
Idioms with the word WILDFIRE
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spread like wildfire
The idiom "spread like wildfire" means that something, such as information or a contagious disease, is spreading rapidly and uncontrollably. It suggests that the dissemination or transmission is happening quickly and extensively, similar to how a wildfire spreads rapidly across a forest.
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like wildfire
The idiom "spread like wildfire" refers to the rapid and widespread dissemination or proliferation of information, ideas, or events. It suggests that something is expanding or progressing quickly and uncontrollably, reminiscent of a wildfire rapidly spreading across a dry landscape.
Similar spelling words for WILDFIRE
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