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• brush fire
  brush fire

  noun

  a fire in an area of bushes, shrubs, or brush, as distinct from a forest fire.
• brush-fire
  brush-fire

  adjective

  limited in scope, area, or importance, as some labor disputes or local skirmishes.

brush fire

¹ American  

noun

1. a fire in an area of bushes, shrubs, or brush, as distinct from a forest fire.

2. any small but persistent problem, as within a large organization, a department of a government, or between nations.

   border skirmishes and other international brush fires.

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brush-fire ² American  

[bruhsh-fahy^uhr] / ˈbrʌʃˌfaɪər /

Or brushfire

adjective

1. limited in scope, area, or importance, as some labor disputes or local skirmishes.

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brush fire British  

noun

1. a fire in bushes and scrub

2. a minor local war

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Etymology

Origin of brush fire¹

An Americanism dating back to 1770–80

Origin of brush-fire²

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

A brush fire ignited inside Camp Pendleton on Wednesday morning, threatening structures and prompting an evacuation order for the base’s golf course and evacuation warnings in nearby areas of Oceanside, authorities said.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026

A brush fire broke out Monday in the suburbs of Los Angeles, spreading rapidly and prompting authorities to issue evacuation orders for thousands of residents.

From Barron's • May 19, 2026

“It was a brush fire, and we were trying to keep it from becoming a dumpster fire,” he said.

From Slate • May 4, 2026

A brush fire ignited Friday evening near Jurupa Valley, prompting evacuation orders in the nearby communities of Jurupa Hills and Sunnyslope.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 5, 2025

Word of Katherine not feeling well gets around quicker than a brush fire in August.

From "Dread Nation" by Justina Ireland