Abstract: A system and method provides for burning wood particles or other combustible fibrous particles at a continuous high rate in which the particles are at least partially pyrolyzed as they are being fed into a combustion chamber, complete combustion of the particles and pyrolysis products occuring within the combustion chamber. Pyrolysis is enabled by mixing the particles with air having a temperature of at least 600.degree. F. The system enables the burning of green wood in existing large boiler systems as well as in gas turbine systems; the latter operatable with a high pressure combustion chamber. In a boiler system, air for pyrolysis of the particles may be heated by the boiler, in a turbine system, air for pyrolysis of the particles may be heated by a compressor driven by a turbine.