firestorm

Or fire storm

[fahyuhr-stawrm]

noun

1. an atmospheric phenomenon, caused by a large fire, in which the rising column of air above the fire draws in strong winds often accompanied by rain.

2. a raging fire of great intensity, as one fueled by oil or gas, that spreads rapidly.

firestorm

/ ˈfaɪəˌstɔːm /

noun

1. an uncontrollable blaze sustained by violent winds that are drawn into the column of rising hot air over the burning area: often the result of heavy bombing

Word History and Origins

Origin of firestorm¹

First recorded in 1575–85; fire + storm

Example Sentences

Dozens of Topanga residents gathered in the town’s Community House to hear Assistant Fire Chief Drew Smith discuss how the Los Angeles County Fire Department plans to keep Topangans alive in a fierce firestorm.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

That was the day she was swept into a diplomatic firestorm.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The deadly firestorms in Pacific Palisades and Altadena revealed the limitations of California’s urban water systems, which experts say are not designed with the capacity for large wildfires that rage through entire neighborhoods.

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The most powerful band of a large atmospheric river storm slammed into Southern California on Saturday, dumping much-needed rain across the region but also bringing mudslide dangers to communities still reeling from January’s firestorms.

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The investigations — which were triggered partly by reporting from The Times — have raised further questions about how officials prepared for and responded to the deadly firestorm, particularly with respect to elderly and disabled evacuees.

Read more on Los Angeles Times