Lake Ōhau residents prepare for Christmas after fire ravaged homes

Some Lake Ōhau residents are returning to undamaged homes surrounded by flowering lupins and green grass in the wake of last month's devastating fire.

The fire tore through the village, damaging or destroying 48 properties.

While there are signs of new life in the village, many residents are figuring out how to rebuild their lives and homes as demolition continues.

Just down the road from the village, a no vacancy sign points towards The Barn at Killin B&B.

The road there winds past a forest of black skeletal trees with patches of grass poking through.

Today the B&B's co-owner Hugh Spiers, his partner Dwayne and their family are busy at work at the former site of the six-bedroom, two-storey red barn.

They spent two days sifting through the debris by hand, placing items into a large wooden wagon that survived the blaze which included a small vase.

"That was from my great grandparent's living room and it's possibly a little bit older than that. You can see it's not too bad, it's got a little chip out of it there ... you know when we used to go and visit our grannies and our parents [would say] 'be careful with that, it's precious," Spiers said.

A month on, the smell of smoke still lingers.

Demolitions crews have cleared the large concrete site, but what's surprising is what survived the blaze - a kid's cubby, the two caravans closest to the house, gardens and the wooden property entrance.

"This is dry country and we have had a little rain, but the lawn is never this green without watering it and water - for us - is too precious. So I think it's just the fine deposit of ash that's been blowing around the place that's just fertilised the countryside," he said.

"You can see just up here is usually brown tussocks. They're all burnt out but you can see how lusciously green everything looks. That's quite refreshing actually."

The growing conditions mean they've started mowing their lawns to keep them under control.

Spiers said his insurers and architect were visiting next week to get the ball rolling on their rebuild plans.

"We've still got a few memories. But you can see the evidence all blowing around the yard. That's why we thought it was quite important to keep up standards, that's why we're mowing the lawns today.

"We're coming here for Christmas. We're camping, we'll be having Christmas on the lawn somewhere so we better make sure it's alright, and I've got potatoes growing in the garden over there and we'll have raspberries too."

Back in the village, crews have been busy demolishing properties and removing the debris.

Lupins bloom next to empty concrete foundations and burnt trees while green grass covers the roadside.

Three residents have already returned to their undamaged homes with seven further requests to go back.

Most residents are not speaking to media, saying they want to try to get on with their lives.

Waitaki District Council recovery manager Lichelle Guyan said residents had power, sewage and water - but were asked to bring their own water.

"I have no doubt that over the coming months there's a lot for them to work through, particularly if they were here on the night," Guyan said.

"But overall, people are just pleased to be here".

Thirteen sites have been cleared, with demolition under way on 16 properties and three construction sites approved.

Guyan said she was waiting for more information from the Fire and Emergency review in the coming months, "which may make recommendations on the type of materials that should be used in houses in the future, the sort of plantings we should have around villages like this.

"There may be some other recommendations for consideration. Council would use that to create guidelines for buildings in this area."

All sites should be cleared this month and the road cordon removed around that time.

Rise from the Ashes, a benefit concert for residents, will be held in Dunedin this Friday.