I will third Particular. Make sure to make use of physics for creating complicated wind patterns to avoid fake look smoke. Also, I think multiple layers with varying parameters is the best way for realistic complexity rather than a single emitter to do all things i.e. main fire smoke, slower burning logs smoke, ember/ashes smoke etc.
stephen van vuuren
336.202.4777
A film is – or should be – more like music than like fiction. It should be a progression of moods and feelings. The theme, what’s behind the emotion, the meaning, all that comes later.
–Stanley Kubrick