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
Kate Talerico, The Mercury News, 29 Aug. 2024
The blaze began on July 10 as a small brush fire but high winds from a thunderstorm caused the flames to rapidly spread in all directions across the San Carlos Apache Reservation, east of Phoenix.
—Annie Goodykoontz, USA TODAY, 25 July 2024
In September 1979, a fast-moving brush fire in L.A.’s Laurel Canyon destroyed Mayall’s home and consumed all his possessions, including what was reputed to be one of the world’s largest and most valuable collections of vintage pornography.
—Chris Morris, Variety, 23 July 2024
The Los Angeles Fire Department also was responding to a 29-acre brush fire between the 210 Freeway and La Tuna Canyon Road in Tujunga.
—Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for brushfire 
Noun
Rates will double for the five policyholders in Sunol, a town in the hills east of Fremont that has seen its share of brush fires this summer.
—Kate Talerico, The Mercury News, 29 Aug. 2024
The blaze began on July 10 as a small brush fire but high winds from a thunderstorm caused the flames to rapidly spread in all directions across the San Carlos Apache Reservation, east of Phoenix.
—Annie Goodykoontz, USA TODAY, 25 July 2024
In September 1979, a fast-moving brush fire in L.A.’s Laurel Canyon destroyed Mayall’s home and consumed all his possessions, including what was reputed to be one of the world’s largest and most valuable collections of vintage pornography.
—Chris Morris, Variety, 23 July 2024
The Los Angeles Fire Department also was responding to a 29-acre brush fire between the 210 Freeway and La Tuna Canyon Road in Tujunga.
—Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for brushfire
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'brushfire.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Brushfire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brushfire. Accessed 20 Sep. 2024.
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