Fear of houses destroyed in a big fire in the Mackenzie Basin

Several homes are believed to have been destroyed by a large wildfire near Lake Ohau in the Mackenzie Basin this morning.

Fire and Emergency says they have 16 teams there fighting it.

Sergeant Major Paul Robertson says police have been evacuating all Lake Ohau Village residents, as well as the campgrounds and other properties in the vicinity.

“Everyone will be evacuated to the Omarama Hall where possible and from there we will take names and Civil Defense and Victim Support will be working with them there.

“Police and firefighters [Fire and Emergency] They are searching the village to make sure everyone is accounted for. “

Robertson says the residents were initially evacuated to nearby Ohau Lodge, but as the fire progressed it was decided to move them about 50 kilometers away, to Omarama.

– RNZ