Lake Ohau fire payouts hit $34.8 million
‘‘Invoices are still being received and collated, and it has not yet been determined where all the costs will fall.’’ Fire and Emergency NZ spokesperson
The wildfire which destroyed 48 properties in Lake hau village in October is one of the most expensive for insurance claims in recent history.
Figures released by the Insurance Council of New Zealand (ICNZ) makes the $34.8 million hau fire more expensive than the 2017 Port Hill fires in Christchurch which had an insurance cost of $18.3m, and the
2019 Tasman District fires, which reached $3.98m.
A Fire and Emergency NZ spokesperson said the total cost of fighting the fire was not yet known.
‘‘Invoices are still being received and collated, and it has not yet been determined where all the costs will fall,’’ the spokesperson said. ‘‘It is expected that invoices may be received over several months.’’
In September, South Canterbury principal rural fire officer Rob Hands told Stuff the cost of fighting the August Pukaki Downs fire was likely to be about
$800,000.
ICNZ said insurers had so far dealt with 154 house and contents claims, 19 business and commercial claims and 24 vehicle claims as a result of the fire.
It said a final figure for the losses would be reported next year.
ICNZ chief executive Tim Grafton said the fire ‘‘shows us just how important it is to insure adequately for unexpected events that can have such a significant impact’’.
‘‘The fire has devastated the hau community, leaving many to rebuild their homes and lives from scratch.’’
The Lake hau fire was the second major fire in the Mackenzie district this year, following the Pukaki Downs fire in August.
Grafton warned people to remain vigilant this summer.
‘‘The impacts of climate change mean we will see more extreme weather – we can expect more droughts and more flood events. With areas forecasted to be hotter over summer there is an increased risk of fires, and we all play a role in reducing this risk.’’