This paper represents our response to the questioning by Mell et al. (2018) of our interpretation (Cruz et al. 2017) of five generalised statements or mantras commonly repeated in the wildland fire behaviour modelling literature. We provide further clarity on key subjects and objectively point out, using examples from relevant scientific findings, that our discussion of the identified mantras presented in Cruz et al. (2017) was indeed not ill-conceived as suggested by Mell et al. (2018).