Lake Ōhau fire: the ‘perfectly executed’ emergency plan that saved lives

The Lake Ōhau fire, described as one of the largest wildfires ever recorded in New Zealand, swept through a village and destroyed 48 structures this week. However, a perfectly executed emergency plan saved lives. Report by Rachael Comer and Charlie O’Mannin.

As violent, howling winds tore through the air, moving debris and hitting anything in their path, many residents of Lake Ōhau village struggled to sleep.

That strong wind soon became the fan of a massive fire, now called one of New Zealand’s largest wildfires, on Sunday morning burned 5,040 hectares and destroyed 48 structures in the small Waitaki district settlement.

Those loud gusts also made it nearly impossible for some residents to hear the village’s fire sirens, which went off shortly after 3 a.m., so those who were asleep had no idea of ​​the dangers that lay ahead as the flames flared. they came closer and closer to their homes.

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Several residents, whom Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fenz) has labeled as the true heroes of the emergency, ran through the village knocking on doors, lifting people from their slumber to escape the fire’s path.

It was this action, all part of a “perfectly executed plan” that ensured no one was killed in the fire, Fenz Incident Controller Graeme Still said.

“Because of that plan, there was no loss of life or human injuries,” Still said.

He said there had been a tactical plan for the village, covering all kinds of emergencies, in place for “some time.”

It is constantly being reviewed and residents have “been very proactive in keeping it updated,” he said.

“The residents meet once a year to talk about the plan and they train around that plan, and they may make changes to it.”

Each household in the village has a copy of the plan, as not all are permanent residents of Lake Ōhau, Still said.

“Everyone knows the plan and on Sunday it was executed perfectly.”

The emergency plan is also incorporated into a strategy for emergency services, he said.

Due to the location of the village, it is considered a high-risk area, so every time a call is made to 111 from there, it receives a “high response,” Still said.

“The helicopters also deploy automatically, but in this case it was 3.15 in the morning and they couldn’t fly anyway.

“So part of the plan was that we couldn’t fly, so we need to send more appliances.”

He said that as soon as someone sees something, they activate the siren in the municipality and people gather at two meeting points.

“Some people had to knock on the door to be awakened, that was because the wind was very strong.

“Most of the residents heard the siren, but they also knew who to control and did it successfully and surprisingly well.”

It was up to the residents to decide whether to stay or flee the town.

“In this case, with good reason, they left.”

It was this swift and decisive action that saved lives, he said.

“They couldn’t have done better. They stuck to the plan and it just shows, if they stick to the rules of the plan, things will work out.

“When they left, the fire would come towards the town.

“I suspect it would not have been a very good outcome if they hadn’t evacuated, and that’s a fact.”

Still, he said the village’s efforts should be commended.

“There is much to [emergency services] can do.

“Regardless of where you live, every household should have a plan, it’s just that their plan incorporates the entire community.”

He said other communities in the area have similar plans that are constantly being reviewed.