Magnesium griddles were never a source of fires.

In fine powder form, or filament form, many metals burn in air. Fine steel wool is an example.

It is called the surface to volume ratio. After all, combustion starts at the surface where hot metal and oxygen meet.

Many of these "metal to metal" comparisons are in danger of combustion because of hot air being freely circulated. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />