I was caught in the middle of the worst wildfire in Texas history 10 years ago. The Lost Pines fire of 2011.
We were camping at Bastrop State Park and having a wonderful day when it all began. Fortunately we were able to get our RV out and get out of there. But you are correct. Nothing burns hotter and faster in dry pine needles.
Yaupon does. It explodes. Full of wax.
The lesser known Tri-county fire happened at the same time at Magnolia. The BLM fire boss said he had never seen a fire burn so fast or so hot. It was the Yaupon. First the needles, then the Yaupon then the Rattan and then the crowns of the pine trees. They dug out hot spots of pine tree stumps 6 to 8 feet deep.