Dry and then burn report (4)
I believe the answer is:
sere
'dry and then' is the definition.
'sere' can be an answer for 'dry' (I've seen this in another clue). I am not sure about the 'and then' bit.
'burn report' is the wordplay.
'burn' becomes 'sear' (sear can mean to burn).
'report' shows a homophone (sound like).
'sear' sounds like 'SERE'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for sere that I've seen before include "Erse (anag.); withered (literary)" , "Dried up, withered" , "Dry, withered" , "'Dried-up, shrivelled (4)'" .)