We present picosecond-resolution streaked K-shell spectra from 400 nm-diameter nickel nanowire arrays, demonstrating the ability to generate large volumes of high energy density plasma when combined with the longer pulses typical of the largest short pulse lasers. After irradiating the wire array with 100 J, 600 fs ultra-high-contrast laser pulses focussed to $>10^{20}$ W/cm$^{2}$ at the Orion laser facility, we combine atomic kinetics modeling of the streaked spectra with 2D collisional particle-in-cell simulations to describe the evolution of material conditions within these samples for the first time. We observe a three-fold enhancement of helium-like emission compared to a flat foil in a near-solid-density plasma sustaining keV temperatures for tens of picoseconds, the result of strong electric return currents heating the wires and causing them to explode and collide.
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