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Three residents of the fire-ravaged village of Lake Ōhau became the first to return to their homes on Monday, while seven others await a response to their requests for early entry.
A cordon that blocks the public’s entrance to the alpine village in Waitaki district is expected to be lifted after a forest fire destroyed about 50 buildings on October 4, 47 days after the event, on November 20. .
Before that, the Waitaki District Council is considering seven requests from residents of virgin homes to return early and has already granted another three, said Lake Ōhau Recovery Manager Lichelle Guyan.
“We will do what we can to get the remaining residents who want to be here as quickly as possible,” Guyan said.
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* Ōhau locals examine the ruins of houses after a big fire
* Public meeting discusses next step for fire-ravaged Lake aldeahau village
Bejon Haswell / Stuff
Lichelle Guyan, Waitaki District Council Ōhau Lake Recovery Manager.
“By allowing people to move in, some people may have mixed feelings about it. It is still a demolition site and there is a lot of trust on both sides. [residents and contractors].
“They [residents] receive a health and safety briefing, and we have fully informed them of the risks. “
As of Monday, demolition was underway at 16 sites, while thirteen sites had been cleared and construction was approved to begin on three of them.
Bejon Haswell / Stuff
Contractors clean up the sites on Lake Ōhau on Monday.
“This is still a very windy area … and when the wind picks up, it can be quite fierce,” Guyan said.
“The material has moved throughout the town. The City Council has cleared the roads and reserves twice now, and we’ll do another sweep before opening things up. That, really, is the biggest risk.
“On a dry sunny day, if the wind were to pick up, there would also be dust in the air, so we recommend that people wear face masks.”
She said residents returning to their homes were “just happy to be here,” while all owners had been informed with weekly newsletters and video conferencing.
Bejon Haswell / Stuff
A car destroyed in the fire still sits on the side of the road in the village.
“I have no doubt that in the coming months there will be a lot to work on, especially if they were here at night.”
Power had returned to most of the sites and the sewer was working, Guyan said.
“Network Waitaki has been working non-stop for the first few weeks trying to restore power to the entire town … The siren went off last week so it’s pretty close to 100 percent,” he said.
Bejon Haswell / Stuff
The fire alarm that was used the morning of the fire to alert residents.
“Everyone can turn on the water. We only ask returning residents to bring their own water for now (for food, for cooking, for consumption) as a safety measure until we are sure they can return to normal. “
Some native vegetation and shrubs had already started to sprout, Guyan said it was “pretty phenomenal” how quickly he was able to recover.
She said the council’s next step was to move from transition to recovery, where it begins to identify “important elements” to consider for the future of the village.
Bejon Haswell / Stuff
Three residents of Lake Ōhau have been able to return home early without damage.
FENZ [Fire and Emergency New Zealand] would be completing an investigation into the fire in the coming months, which could make recommendations on the types of planting and building materials that could reduce fire risk in the area.
“The council would use that to develop guidelines for construction in this area,” Guyan said.
The Village Reserve Management Plan, which the council consulted with the community 12 months ago, would also be revised early in the new year, he said.
Bejon Haswell / Stuff
As of Monday, demolition was underway at 16 sites, while thirteen had been cleared.
