crown fire

noun

1. a forest fire that spreads along treetops, often at great speeds.

Word History and Origins

Origin of crown fire¹

An Americanism dating back to 1920–25

Example Sentences

Furthermore, pine trees retain their needles throughout winter, making them susceptible to "crown fires" - wildfires that spread by igniting the dense canopy of branches and leaves.

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It also helped to prevent intense crown fires.

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When high-severity crown fires occurred, new habitats emerged, contributing to the whole spectrum of wildlife.

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They compete for water and their low branches allow fire to climb into the canopy of taller trees, fueling devastating crown fires.

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A history of logging and fire-suppression policies has also resulted in stands of unnaturally young, dense timber that is more susceptible to fast-moving crown fires, according to experts.

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