brush·fire
ˈbrəsh-ˌfī(-ə)r 
: involving mobilization only on a small and local scale
brushfire border wars
1
: a fire involving low-growing plants (such as scrub and brush)
2
: a minor conflict or crisis
putting out political brush fires
Examples of brushfire in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 May 2026
The blaze is one of several that recently broke out in Southern California, including the largest fire ever recorded on Santa Rosa Island and two brush fires that broke out in Riverside County on Tuesday.
—Deputy Managing Editor, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2026
Brush fires erupt across Southern California The Verona Fire was just one of several brush fires to break out since the start of Monday, when the Sandy Fire exploded to engulf more than 1,300 acres in Ventura County.
—Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 19 May 2026
Shortly before a brush fire was first reported on the south side of Simi Valley, the Police Department received a phone call.
—Nathaniel Percy, Daily News, 19 May 2026
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Noun
More than 170 firefighters on Wednesday continued battling a brush fire that ignited Tuesday near Interstate 8 in East County and forced evacuations in Campo, a fire official said.
—Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 May 2026
The blaze is one of several that recently broke out in Southern California, including the largest fire ever recorded on Santa Rosa Island and two brush fires that broke out in Riverside County on Tuesday.
—Deputy Managing Editor, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2026
Brush fires erupt across Southern California The Verona Fire was just one of several brush fires to break out since the start of Monday, when the Sandy Fire exploded to engulf more than 1,300 acres in Ventura County.
—Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 19 May 2026
Shortly before a brush fire was first reported on the south side of Simi Valley, the Police Department received a phone call.
—Nathaniel Percy, Daily News, 19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for brushfire
Cite this Entry
“Brushfire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brushfire. Accessed 29 May. 2026.
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