McDougall Creek wildfire raged through Traders Cove, Kelowna on Aug. 17.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Kevin Moffat
August 18, 2023 - 6:00 PM
A Kelowna man was on a pontoon boat in Traders Cove when the McDougall Creek wildfire raged through the community, forcing some to flee into Okanagan Lake last night, Aug. 17.
Ryan Blonar is a former structural firefighter and owner of Okanagan Luxury Boat Club & Valet. He said he regularly shows up with his boats to help RCMP on the water, but he’s “never seen anything like this.”
“As one of the largest rental and boat clubs, we’re known to liaise with RCMP water division and help out in different situations,” he said. “Last night we heard there were people in need of evacuation in Traders Cove.”
Blonar and his small team were on the scene with their boat doing some rounds trying to help spot people in the water from 9 p.m. to almost midnight. He said roughly ten swimmers were rescued by RCMP while wildfire ground crews were also trying to get out of the burning area.
When asked what the fiery scene was like, Blonar said he “didn’t have the words.”
“It was something I’ve never seen before, everything in flames, nothing left,” he said. “I feel for everyone affected by this, it looked like armageddon. It’s tragic seeing this in our own backyard.”
He said he didn't see anything left of Traders Cove, including structures.
The McDougall Creek wildfire started Tuesday evening about 10 kilometres northwest of West Kelowna, but exploded to an estimated 6,800 hectares overnight, pushing into areas of West Kelowna such as West Kelowna Estates and Rose Valley. Yesterday, Aug. 17 it reached Traders Cove, before jumping across Okanagan Lake and lighting up areas of Kelowna and Lake Country.
More than 3,000 properties have been ordered evacuated on both sides of Okanagan Lake and many thousand more are on evacuation alert.
READ MORE: 'Horrific' night for Kelowna couple rescuing animals from McDougall Creek wildfire
Blonar’s own home in Kelowna has not been damaged by wildfire. He’s opened up the lot at his business downtown at 225 Bay Avenue for displaced RV owners and opened four travel trailers for displaced evacuees to use.
Blonar asks anyone in need of that space call the mainline of Okanagan Luxury Boat Club & Valet at 250-869-5720.
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