@Lyanhyrt
You come expecting cool ass shit.
Author's like "Hell naw, we all about the cuteness here!"
@HiraOmnibus
I like them cause it begs the question "How will the characters work around it?". Sure, if they just say ok and be done with it that would be boring, but when they actually use their heads to think of ways around such limitations it's far more interesting than having the problem solved for them.
For fire in forest, use water magic to dowse your surroundings and/or get the target in a situation where you can shot the spell straight up.
For earth in a cave/dungeon, use the earth magic to create two or more chunks of earth from the floor and use them to crush. As long as you're not damaging the ceiling or any support structures.....it logically shouldn't cause a cave in that easily.