Farmers say the devastating fire ravaging through the South Island's Lake Ohau, has been a disaster waiting to happen.
A wildfire roared through Lake Ohau village early yesterday morning, spreading into nearby conservation land, farms and mountainsides.
Hamish Smith has been running merino sheep, angus cattle and red deer on his 3500 hectare high country farm in the area for 15 years.
He says in the last week there's been 35ml of rain and two and a half inches of snow so the region is far from tinder dry but next door to Ben Dhu Station is a DoC land which he describes a "nightmare".
Hamish Smith told Tess Brunton yesterday his day started at 6am.
A further six properties north of Lake Ohau Village were evacuated by the police last night with firefighters worried the wind would veer towards them in the night.
At least 20 homes have been destroyed in the fire, and more than 90 residents evacuated.
Four crews have been on duty in the village overnight - and helicopters are expected to rejoin the firefighting effort at first light.
Eight ground crews will also be sent in.
