One home was destroyed overnight as fire crews plan for another tricky day battling the Tasman fire.
Residents spent a nervous night on the edge of the Nelson scrub fire overnight - with reports of looters prowling evacuated areas.
The massive firefighting mission ramps up for day three this morning, with flare-ups visible around the northern edge of the blaze, around Redwood Valley.
Residents of Maisey Rd were evacuated yesterday as the fire threatened to tower over their homes.
Fire, police, and Civil Defence all reassured residents that evacuation was not a decision taken lightly, and they would get people back in to their homes as soon as it was safe.
He said police had not received reports of looting, saying they had brought in 40 extra staff to handle cordons, and carry out patrols and keep people and property safe.
More than 100 firefighters have been working through the night to combat the 1900ha blaze.
About 400 people have been evacuated from about 180 homes around the fire.
Officials don't know the full scale of the damage, but at least one home has been destroyed.
Nelson Civil Defence controller Roger Ball told Newstalk ZB's Mike Hosking that firefighters have been making good progress.
"They're not describing it yet as contained, but they're working towards that, and that's the plan for today.
"A lot depends on weather conditions and a number of other factors, but the forecast isn't too threatening and we're hoping to make good progress."
Firefighters battle a blaze as 235 homes were evacuated from the area in the Tasman district. Photo / Getty
Ball said Civil Defence officials would meet with residents at Appleby Fire Station at 9am.
"Our focus today is really to engage with the community. We're starting the process to keep them up to date.
