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Andrew Turton / Supplied
The Lake Ohau fire burned at 4:10 a.m. M.
A large wildfire, which is still spreading, is believed to have destroyed dozens of houses near Lake Ohau in Waitaki district and may have been started by an electric arc from overhead power lines.
About 90 people were evacuated after the fire broke out around 3 a.m., and it is believed to be growing rapidly in size Sunday morning.
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Pukaki airport resident and pilot Chris Rudge, who had flown near the area on Sunday morning, estimated that it was 5 km in size from north to south by 5 km from east to west.
“It looks horrible. The fire is much larger than the one at Pukaki Downs. So very sad for all those people who have lost their homes and their children.
“It is quite large. The fire starts at the bottom of the lake, with flames going up the hill, ”said Rudge.
“More fires are taking place downwind of the Shelton Downs farm, so the total area of the fire is rapidly increasing in length.
Omarama Gazette / Supplied
A view of the ‘huge’ fire from across Lake Ohau at 6am on Sunday.
“Four helicopters now operate in the southern zone and one at the northern end of the fire. The wind is 30 to 40 knots to the north, so the fire is spreading south. “
“The fire is spreading from Parsons Creek north to south of the Shelton Downs farm. Several houses have been lost in Lake Ohau Alpine Village, ”said Rudge.
“The fire is heading towards Quailburn Road and Cloud Hills. Omarama is downwind and beyond that. The burned area will affect tour operators as the Alps to Ocean bike path passes through the fire area.
“The upper end of the fire is now less active with a helicopter controlling it, so the fire is highly unlikely to spread north of Parsons Creek. Therefore, Ohau Lodge is not affected. “
Metservice forecaster Tui McInnes said strong northwesterly winds were expected in the Ohau area for the next 48 hours, and that they would turn south on Tuesday, causing a “massive drop” in maximum temperatures.
Joanne Holden / Things
A police cordon at the junction of State Highway 8 / Twizel-Omarama Rd and Lake Ohau Rd. The highway is closed due to a large fire in the village of Lake Ohau.
Police have evacuated residents of Lake Ohau Village, campgrounds, and other properties in the area.
Mackenzie District Mayor Graham Smith said his council was assisting the Waitaki District Council with its response to the fire.
“We already have about 90 people in the social assistance center in Twizel, while we have enabled the Pukaki airport,” Smith said.
“We are trying to offer as much support as possible, this is a very serious fire, my thoughts are with the affected owners.”
FIRST CALL
Fire and emergency teams were alerted at 3.20 am to the fire in the pine forest, which is about 25 km from Twizel.
Waitaki District Mayor Gary Kircher said he believed some houses were destroyed before firefighters arrived.
Chris Howes / Stuff
The view at 8.15am Sunday from Omarama to Lake Ohau, where a fire was still burning after a destructive night in which houses were destroyed.
“The theory at this point is that it could have been triggered by power lines bowing and there have been hurricane force winds there, all the way to shore,” he said.
“There are about 70 houses there, but the (number of) permanent residents is around 20 or 30. There are a lot of vacation houses. Being a weekend, there would be more people there. ”
Sixteen fire crews are tackling the fire and people are being asked to stay away from the area. The evacuation point is the Twizel Events Center.
Lake Ohau Road, next to SH8, is currently closed and motorists should avoid the area while emergency services are on site.
Sooner
JOHN BISSET / STUFF / Stuff
Lake Ohau looking towards the Hopkins Valley. Fire crews have been called to a major fire in the area.
