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
Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Feb. 2026
The National Weather Service on Wednesday issued a red flag warning, meaning that as the afternoon moved forward conditions would be very dry and windy, making the area ripe for brush fire spread.
—Deanese Williams-Harris, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
Less than 20 minutes later, the flames had spread to the nearby wilderness and more units were called in to respond to the growing brush fire on the north side of the highway, county officials said.
—Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 16 Feb. 2026
The crew’s purpose is to beef up the city’s emergency response as well as vegetation management throughout Los Angeles to prevent brush fires from spreading out of control, the team’s superintendent Capt.
—Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 17 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for brushfire
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Noun
Another brush fire broke out Sunday in Osceola County, sending a plume of smoke into the sky that could be seen from Orange County.
—Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Feb. 2026
The National Weather Service on Wednesday issued a red flag warning, meaning that as the afternoon moved forward conditions would be very dry and windy, making the area ripe for brush fire spread.
—Deanese Williams-Harris, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
Less than 20 minutes later, the flames had spread to the nearby wilderness and more units were called in to respond to the growing brush fire on the north side of the highway, county officials said.
—Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 16 Feb. 2026
The crew’s purpose is to beef up the city’s emergency response as well as vegetation management throughout Los Angeles to prevent brush fires from spreading out of control, the team’s superintendent Capt.
—Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 17 Jan. 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 25 Feb. 2026.
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