VIDEO: Gregory Cowan’s years as a rafting guide trained him to run his own rafting company. Never did he think those skills would be used to help battle a major wildfire.
Cowan and his wife bought then-named Rock Gardens Rafting in 2017 after Cowan had already spent years working as one of the company’s guides. Shortly after, they renamed the company Defiance Rafting.
They’ve been operating under the name for three years now and up until recently, fun was the only service they provided.
“I think one of the greatest benefits of this activity – and I think it’s even more acute this year – is that we provide people an opportunity to get out for two to a few hours and just kind of take a break,” Cowan said.
But the good times stopped when the Grizzly Creek Fire started Monday afternoon and the No Name community, where Defiance Rafting is located, was evacuated the following day. Cowan stayed behind.