Join us at the Summerland Museum for a special presentation by Lieutenant Colonel Denis Cyr to mark the 20th anniversary of Operation Peregrine and the Okanagan Mountain Park Fire in 2003.

During the summer of 2003, the Province of British Columbia requested military assistance with the MacLure/Barrière and Okanagan Mountain Park Fires. Lieutenant Colonel Cyr was tasked with commanding "Operation Peregrine" Task Force 2 (British Columbia Dragoons), based out of Kelowna, to fight the Okanagan Mountain Park Fire. At its peak, Task Force 2 consisted of 860 Regular Force and Reserve soldiers, airmen/women, and sailors from across Western Canada. These brave men and women aided BC Forestry Services in battling the disastrous fire, working in grueling and often dangerous conditions.

The Okanagan Mountain Park fire was, at that time, the most significant interface wildfire event in BC history. The fire’s final size was 25,600 hectares. It caused the evacuation of 33,050 people and destroyed 238 homes. The fire also claimed 12 wooden trestles and damaged two other steel trestles in the historic Myra Canyon.

Lieutenant Colonel Cyr has been a resident of Summerland since 2002.

This FREE public presentation will take place in the Summerland Museum's Tait Room amidst our latest exhibit, "Living with Fire". Seating is limited and will be available first-come-first-served. Light refreshments will be served.