Pick out scattered cinders (7)
I believe the answer is:
discern
'pick out' is the definition.
(I know that pick out can be written as discern)
'scattered cinders' is the wordplay.
'scattered' indicates anagramming the letters.
'cinders' anagrammed gives 'DISCERN'.
(Other definitions for discern that I've seen before include "Espy" , "Make out, distinguish by eye" , "Notice" , "spot" , "Perceive - distinguish" .)