The extent of the Nelson forest fire is visible from the air on day six of the emergency on Sunday. GEORGE HEARD/STUFF White smoke is considered a hopeful sign; dirty-coloured smoke signals a new flare-up. READ MORE:* Nelson bush fire: Pilots perform a carefully choreographed dance in the skies to keep flames in check* Nelson bush fire: Wakefield is like a war zone as life goes on in Nelson* Nelson bush fire: Further evacuations in WakefieldWe take a route over neat spreads of vines and head towards the smoke. GEORGE HEARD/STUFF Agricultural spray planes have been dropping red-coloured retardant on the massive Nelson fire. Helicopter pilots tend to get all the credit for the aerial fire fighting but the role of the fixed wing agricultural spray planes is equally vital.

Source: Stuff February 10, 2019 04:41 UTC