Two recent vegetation fires demonstrate why drone operators should always use Flight Advisor in uncontrolled airspace.
In the first example a NOTAM was issued for intensive aircraft activity associated with the firefighting activity. In the second example a NOTAM was issued for a Temporary Restricted Area. Both NOTAMs were clearly visible on Flight Advisor but did not appear on Airshare even when dropping a pin on the relevant location.
Whanarua Bay
On Thursday 06 November 2025 there was a vegetation fire at Whanarua Bay, Eastern Bay of Plenty. A NOTAM was issued advising intensive aircraft operation. The NOTAM was easily visible on Flight Advisor, but there was no mention of the fire or a NOTAM when dropping a pin on Airshare.
Tongariro National Park
On Saturday 08 November 2025 a large vegetation fire started in Tongariro National Park. By 10pm that night approximately 400ha was thought to be on fire, and by the following evening the fire had spread to 1,000ha. Throughout the day there had been 13 helicopters and 3 fixed wing aircraft fighting the fire.[1]
A Temporary Restricted Area was declared for the safety of the aircraft involved in the firefighting operation. This was easily visible on Flight Advisor as an orange circle but did not appear on Airshare even when a pin was dropped near the centre of the restricted area.
[1] https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/578290/firefighters-return-to-out-of-control-wildfire-in-tongariro-national-park
Airshare has nothing!
Other source info:
Whanarua Bay
Tongariro
