brush-fire
Fast-spreading ground flames
A brush-fire is a fire that burns through dry vegetation, brush, and scrubland, typically spreading quickly across open terrain.
Such fires are common in arid regions during dry seasons and can be difficult to contain once they gain momentum.
The term also works as an adjective describing something that spreads rapidly or flares up suddenly in scattered locations: brush-fire wars across the region, brush-fire protests.
This figurative use emphasizes speed and unpredictability rather than scale.
Intense burning fire
- flamesVisible burning combustion
- smokeAirborne combustion byproduct
- embersSmoldering fire remnants
- ashCombustion's powdery remains
smoldering · scorched · inferno · conflagration · firebreak · hotspot · drought · flammable
Opposition between parties
- skirmishBrief, limited combat
- flare-upSudden recurrence of symptoms
- escalationProgressive increase in intensity
- tensionStretched or strained state
volatile · incendiary · flashpoint · hotspot · political · regional · border · uprising
Burn without destroying
- scorchBurn superficially
- devastationSevere widespread destruction
- ruinComplete destruction or collapse
- consumeTake in fully
ravage · damage · debris · aftermath · desolation · wreckage · blackened · gutted
Removal from danger
Completely surround and cover
- propagateSpread or breed further
- escalateIncrease in severity
- kindleStart a blaze
- igniteStart burning something
outbreak · surge · cascade · leapfrog · wind-driven · flare-up · uncontained · out-of-control
blaze
Intense burning fire
ash · smoldering · scorched · inferno · conflagration · firebreak · hotspot · drought · flammable · wildland
conflict
Opposition between parties
- skirmishBrief, limited combat
- flare-upSudden recurrence of symptoms
- escalationProgressive increase in intensity
tension · volatile · incendiary · flashpoint · hotspot · political · regional · border · uprising · unrest
char
Burn without destroying
- scorchBurn superficially
- devastationSevere widespread destruction
- ruinComplete destruction or collapse
consume · ravage · damage · debris · aftermath · desolation · wreckage · blackened · gutted · loss
evacuation
Removal from danger
shelter · preparedness · warning · containment · fireproof
engulf
Completely surround and cover
ignite · outbreak · surge · cascade · leapfrog · wind-driven · flare-up · uncontained · out-of-control · perimeter
brush-firestructure fire
Flames in a building
building fire · house fire · inferno · conflagration · factory fire
brush-fireconflagration
Large destructive blaze
inferno · firestorm · megafire · crown fire · campfire