Before retiring, my stage act used candles, flash paper and various effects utilizing fire. With all the restrictions on the use of fire, I was just curious what changes, if any, magicians are making. My drawer is full of vanishing and appearing candles, torches, flash paper, flash string and matches. Are they just nice things to have for old times sake?

It depends on the venue. I was just at a convention and saw confetti cannons, flash paper/cotton, and burning envelopes in a pan (took about 7 minutes to burn up). In one of the lectures the Magi said "doesn't hurt to ask" and after a demonstration of the amount of fire he often gets permission.