After thinking about the trailer, the cause of the Burn suddenly seems obvious. In the trailer
Burnham and Booker have a kiss. Since all of Burnham's relationships seem to go bad in this show in overly dramatic fashion, don't be surprised if Booker is really an evil warlord who singlehandedly caused the Burn to take over the galaxy, and Burnham has to tearfully vaporize him (but not after blasting a hole into his chest Dr. Crusher style first).
Maybe he is or gets possesed by a Pah Wraith?

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