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
Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2026
In addition, the array experienced a brush fire last year that was attributed to nearby utility equipment.
—John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 2 Apr. 2026
Debris from the engine fell near the runway and ignited a small brush fire on the ground.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 30 Mar. 2026
Northerly winds will be gusty, and when combined with low humidity, conditions are ripe for grass and brush fires to start easily and spread fast.
—Kansas City Star, 27 Mar. 2026
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Noun
Riverside County firefighters battled a brush fire burning behind a Temecula winery on Sunday afternoon amid the region's popular Easter holiday festivities.
—Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2026
In addition, the array experienced a brush fire last year that was attributed to nearby utility equipment.
—John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 2 Apr. 2026
Debris from the engine fell near the runway and ignited a small brush fire on the ground.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 30 Mar. 2026
Northerly winds will be gusty, and when combined with low humidity, conditions are ripe for grass and brush fires to start easily and spread fast.
—Kansas City Star, 27 Mar. 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 6 Apr. 2026.
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