Maybe you can create an invisible funnel (cosh) and assign the material hex ID of "fire_big" as the effect, instead of the default ship smoke.
I used this method to give modern & old fashioned ships in the Merchant Fleet Mod different types of smoke, & I don't see why it wouldn't work with fires. The effect will work regardless of whether or not the vessel is in motion; I found this frustrating for my ships, but it's perfect for a burning [motionless] wreck.
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