You can also compare the forest fire to a place like Hades, a mythical setting that really establishes a vibe for a reader.
Other good words are “conflagration” and “combustion. ”
“Searing” is a similar word that conveys the heat and damage a forest fire can do.
Other effective figurative phrases like “ocean of fire” or “wall of flame. ”
Try something like “The forest fire devoured everything in its path” brings it to life and makes it more animated, like it has a mind of its own. Also try describing the fire as “hungry” or “greedy,” to give it a sense of personification and action.
A similar term is “apocalyptic,” which is a strong adjective that offers a sense of doom.
Words like “renewing” or “natural” help to convey a forest fire’s beneficial aspects.
Another idea is to describe the trees or embers as “exploding,” to lend a more violent tone to the scene.
Forest fires also “gleam” or are “blinding. ”
For example: “The forest fire’s smoke emitted a smoggy haze over the city that sat downwind of the blaze. ”
“The smoke from the fire stifled the fleeing animals and caused them to choke. ”
You might also say a fire “glowed” or “churned. ”
Make a list of adjectives for each of the senses and try to incorporate some of these into your writing to really bring the scene to life. A fire might look bright or intense. A forest fire might smell like charred wood, or even just like a campfire. The area around a forest fire can taste like ash or smoke. Forest fires roar and crackle, which are great words to describe the sound. Finally, a forest fire is hot, of course–so hot it can scorch or sear whatever it touches.
If you want the fire to come across as scary, try using words like “devouring” or “apocalyptic. ” If you’re trying for a lighter or more optimistic mood, try words like “cleansing” or “renewing. ”
Readers make the best writers, because you’re learning vocabulary that you may not have known before.
