Get a wood plank, put a rock in the middle to pivot it. Bury one end with concert dust, then have your actor run across it: which will send that dust airborne (of course your actor can jump around and scream and other dying antics). You can always use dirt or mud, but concert dust is lighter, shoot up higher, and linger in the air more (just make sure not to inhale it).
Get a box, cut out the bottom and top. On the bottom put some chicken wire, then put your debris inside the box. Get a fire extinguisher and fire that into the chicken wire. Which would in turn blow out your debris in a cloud of smoke. You can add a flash in post to further enhance the effect.