a widespread fire

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a widespread fire" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a fire that has spread over a large area, affecting multiple locations or communities. Example: "The firefighters worked tirelessly to contain the widespread fire that had engulfed several homes in the area."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

A widespread fire - caused by campfires and candlelight used for heat and light - also destroyed the tents belonging to around 180 refugees.

Independent

Collectively, these safeguards reduce the possibility of a widespread fire.

International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials

He had to fight a widespread fire after a July storm started more than 150 fires in Idaho's Kaniksu National Forest.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Last year, however, the NRC committee released an interim report that drew widespread fire from researchers and environmentalists; it concluded that there was no scientific evidence that endangered salmon or threatened suckers would benefit (Science, 4 April, p. 36).

Science Magazine

An early period of widespread fire from the 1400s to ca. 1650 was followed by a period of reduced area burned from ca. 1650 to ca. 1800, possibly associated with cool climatic conditions.

Forest Ecology and Management

Results show that the decades between 1920 and 1940 were characterized by widespread fire activity covering approximately 28% of the study region.

Forest Ecology and Management

Reconstructed reference conditions showed that basal area (BA) averaged 9.2 m2 hand and tree density averaged 86.2 trees ha−1 across the site in 1880 prior to widespread fire exclusion, with the highest tree density values occurring at the two upper elevation sites.

Forest Ecology and Management

Because the dollar is the dominant world currency, the Fed came under widespread fire for its second round of bond buying.

Huffington Post

Updated at 8.08am BST 7.45am BST Summary A tornado struck Moore, Oklahoma, a suburb of state capital Oklahoma City on Monday afternoon, flattening entire neighbourhoods, causing widespread fires and landing a direct hit on an elementary school.

The Guardian

However, widespread fires remained a constant threat.

Wikipedia

A devastating mile-wide tornado hit the US state of Oklahoma on Monday, flattening neigbourhoods, causing widespread fires and landing a direct hit on an elementary school.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the impact of a fire, use "a widespread fire" to emphasize the geographical extent of the damage and the number of people or areas affected.

Common error

Avoid using "a widespread fire" when you actually mean an intensely hot or destructive fire in a limited area. Instead, use adjectives like "intense", "raging", or "devastating" to describe the fire's intensity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a widespread fire" functions as a noun phrase, where "widespread" is an adjective modifying the noun "fire". It describes a fire that is distributed over a large area. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a widespread fire" is a grammatically sound and understandable expression used to describe a fire that spans a large area, as verified by Ludwig AI. While examples are relatively rare, the phrase appears across various source types, with slight variations in meaning depending on the situation described. When using the phrase, consider emphasizing geographical extent and impact. Alternatives include "a large fire" or "an extensive fire", depending on the specific context. Remember, the goal is to clearly and accurately convey the scope and impact of the fire being described.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a large fire

Focuses on the size of the fire, rather than its distribution.

an extensive fire

Emphasizes the reach and scope of the fire.

a massive fire

Highlights the intensity and scale of the fire.

a conflagration

A more formal term for a large and destructive fire.

a raging fire

Focuses on the uncontrolled and intense nature of the fire.

a devastating fire

Emphasizes the destructive impact of the fire.

a sweeping fire

Suggests the fire is moving rapidly across a large area.

a wild fire

Highlights the uncontrolled nature of the fire, often in natural settings.

an out-of-control fire

Focuses on the lack of containment and management of the fire.

a major fire

Emphasizes the significance and impact of the fire event.

FAQs

How can I use "a widespread fire" in a sentence?

You can use "a widespread fire" to describe a fire that has affected a large area or many locations. For example, "The drought conditions contributed to "a widespread fire" across the state".

What are some alternatives to saying "a widespread fire"?

Alternatives include "a large fire", "an extensive fire", or "a massive fire". The best choice depends on the specific aspect you want to emphasize.

Is it correct to say "a widespread fires"?

No, it is not grammatically correct. "Widespread" is an adjective describing the singular noun "fire", so the correct phrase is "a widespread fire". If you are talking about multiple fires, you would say "widespread fires" (plural).

What's the difference between "a widespread fire" and "a controlled burn"?

"A widespread fire" refers to an uncontrolled fire affecting a large area, often causing damage. In contrast, "a controlled burn" is a planned and managed fire used for forest management or agricultural purposes.