Something obviously needed to be done with the power, anyone denying that is kidding themselves.
This one power as of I4, made the entire Tanker secondary "extra/unnecessary". That should never happen.
However, I will agree that the fear AI problem coupled with these changes make the power near-useless solo. I would suggest adding an effect after the villian leaves the burn patch...perhaps he catches fire and recieves a minor/moderate quick DoT.
I do not have a problem with mobs running out of the burn patch in general. Perhaps the point is that this power is most useful when you have someone laying an immobolization/hold down to keep people from fleeing.