The Port Hills above Christchurch have once again come under the threat of serious fires. Similarly to the last big blaze 7 years ago, and almost to the same day, a dangerous fire directly threatened the Hoon Hay Valley, and the Valley of Peace cricket grounds themselves. For the first time in Christchurch history, a howling nor-wester was actually greeted with relief by some residents after the wind picked up and blew the flames back up the valley and over some already burnt ground. This is not to say that the resulting direction was any more comforting to others living up on the Port Hills & Governor’s Bay, and we’re thinking of all residents and their livestock who are still in danger.
Club statement – “Given the current state of emergency, and with firefighting still very active, the decision was made last night to cancel Sunday’s game v Hawkswood Wanderers. We considered it wouldn’t look right look to be enjoying a day’s cricket and eating pickled onions while nearby residents were still displaced, and firefighters were still busy dampening down hotspots.” (S.I.).
A decision will be made about the Honest Trundlers’ match on 25th Feb, closer to the date and depending on conditions.
Further up-to-date information about the fire can be found on the Radio New Zealand Christchurch fire blog.
Smoke above Hoon Hay Valley Road, 16 Feb 2024 (c/- RNZ / Angus Dreaver)
