five-alarm

American  

[fahyv-uh-lahrm] / ˈfaɪv əˌlɑrm /

adjective

1. of or relating to an extremely destructive or intense fire.

2. of or relating to something that is remarkable or intense, especially of food that is very spicy.

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Example Sentences

Authorities declared a five-alarm fire -- the highest level -- as night fell.

From Barron's

But those five-alarm warnings are still important and necessary, if only to maintain an historical record of dissent should we manage to emerge from this dark time with some shell of our nation intact.

From Salon

The Dodger bullpen is a five-alarm fire, an unmitigated disaster, a total catastrophe.

From Los Angeles Times

“Use whatever analogy you want to use — this is a five-alarm fire,” said Dr. Sean O’Leary, a pediatric infectious-disease specialist who chairs the American Academy of Pediatrics’ infectious-disease committee.

From Los Angeles Times

"It's obviously beyond that New World screwworm sterile barrier and so essentially, you're finding an insect in areas where it should not be found, and this is one that can cause tremendous harm to livestock, to wildlife and to humans. So it's a huge public health issue. It's an animal health issue, it's a health security issue ... That's a five-alarm fire. It needs to be jumped on and taken care of promptly," Bogoch explained.

From Salon