crown fire

American  

noun

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

---

Etymology

Origin of crown fire

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.

From BBC

It also helped to prevent intense crown fires.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Seattle Times

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

From Seattle Times

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.

From Los Angeles Times