Fire crews are continuing to actively fight the fire near Lake Ohau Village.

A Fire and Emergency said there are now five helicopters in the air assisting with firefighting efforts and one more on the way.

The fire is approximately 200ha in size currently.

Winds continue to be very strong making for challenging firefighting conditions.

Houses have been lost and Fire and Emergency crews are working with those affected in the community.

The Waitaki Emergency Operations Centre has activated.

Lake Ohau Road is currently closed and motorists should avoid the area while emergency services are at the scene.

Controller Peter Muldrew said the Waitaki EOC would be focused on supporting people impacted by the fire.

Gary Kircher the Mayor of Waitaki said, thankfully there are no reports of anyone harmed, but the loss of homes is believed to be significant.

The Twizel Events Centre is the welfare centre for this incident and approximately 90 people evacuated from Lake Ohau Village have registered there.

People at the welfare centre have been briefed by FENZ.

The fire is now moving in South West direction away from Lake Ohau village.

Farm land may be affected and farmers are moving stock.

Five helicopters are currently responding to the fire.

A fire is also burning in a pine forestry block at Livingstone.

For residents in Livingstone the evacuation centre is the Tokarahi Golf Course. If you are told to evacuate, get out and stay out until given the all clear to return.