I think the smoke puffs are suppose to be like “dust-clouds” in this “portfolio world”. But I agree with how you think about black smoke for fuelburn, I might test that for my fire-based pieces that has smoke!
The lightning is made in 3D models with a gradient texture, its based on how Klemen Lozar did in his riotVFX contest (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bCLq6p6OD0)
