Dimitar Ivanov Katerov shows how to create a huge explosion using the Fluids System in Maya covering shading and animating Maya Fluids, some of the attributes, and using Maya fields for shaping and controlling the explosion. Check out the tutorial for Creating A Realistic Explosion In Maya Using Maya Fluids here.
from the tutorial description: Maya fluids gives you the tools to simulate any kind of smoke, fire, water, explosions, wind effects etc. and is a very powerful tool for every FX artist. The fluid simulations and shading can be as different as night and day, but they rely on the same attributes which you’ll better understand after completing this tutorial. You’ll learn to animate and shade fluids, understand all of the major attributes, learn how adding fields will allow you to gain better control over your simulation, and how to light and render the final animation.