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
Julia Gomez, USA TODAY, 14 Dec. 2024
Firefighters doused nearly 300 brush fires across the city in November, including an unheard-of 215 blazes in the first 14 days of the month.
—Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 5 Dec. 2024
The state has seen drought conditions and very little rainfall over the past few months, leading to elevated fire risks and well over 100 brush fires.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 20 Nov. 2024
Connecticut has reported over 80 brush fires and is under a Stage 2 drought advisory.
—Hayleigh Evans, The Arizona Republic, 14 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for brushfire 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
In October, the state saw over 100 brush fires in one week.
—Julia Gomez, USA TODAY, 14 Dec. 2024
Firefighters doused nearly 300 brush fires across the city in November, including an unheard-of 215 blazes in the first 14 days of the month.
—Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 5 Dec. 2024
The state has seen drought conditions and very little rainfall over the past few months, leading to elevated fire risks and well over 100 brush fires.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 20 Nov. 2024
Connecticut has reported over 80 brush fires and is under a Stage 2 drought advisory.
—Hayleigh Evans, The Arizona Republic, 14 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for brushfire
Dictionary Entries Near brushfire
Cite this Entry
“Brushfire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brushfire. Accessed 8 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share