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When rife, maybe, can be hard to extinguish (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

fire

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'extinguish' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both related to change as well as being verbs in their base form.
Maybe you can see a link between them that I can't see?

'when rife maybe can be hard' is the wordplay.
'rife' anagrams to 'FIRE'.
But, I am not clear how the anagram is indicated.

'to' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for fire that I've seen before include "... or combustion" , "cut" , "Flames; passion" , "Sack; discharge (a gun)" , "Weaponry" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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