Operation Peregrine facts for kids

Operation PEREGRINE was a big Canadian military operation. It happened between August 3 and September 16, 2003. The Canadian military helped fight huge forest fires in British Columbia.

In August 2003, over 800 separate forest fires burned across British Columbia. Local firefighters were very busy and needed help. Thousands of people had to leave their homes because of the fires.

The government of British Columbia asked the Canadian government for help. At first, some soldiers from Edmonton came to help. As the fires got worse, more help was needed. In the end, over 2,200 members of the Canadian Forces (CF) were called in.

Before fighting fires, the soldiers got special training. They learned about safety, how fires behave, and how to use hoses. Then, they went to the fire lines to help.

At its busiest, the operation had more than 2,600 military people working. This was more soldiers than Canada had in any overseas operation at that time.

Why the Canadian Military Helped

The fires in British Columbia were very serious. They were called "interface fires" because they were burning close to towns and homes. This meant people's houses were in danger.

The provincial fire services were working as hard as they could. But there were too many fires for them to handle alone. So, they asked the Canadian military for help. The military has many people and a lot of equipment. They can help in big emergencies like this.

How Soldiers Fought the Fires

Soldiers were divided into different groups called "task forces." Each task force worked in a different area. For example, some were in Barriere and others in Kelowna.

Their main job was to help put out the fires. They also helped protect homes and communities. They worked alongside regular firefighters. The military set up a main base in Vernon, British Columbia. This base helped organize all the soldiers and supplies.

Operation PEREGRINE lasted for 45 days. The soldiers worked hard to control the fires. They helped keep people safe and protect property.

Other Big Canadian Military Operations

Operation PEREGRINE was one of the largest help missions the Canadian military had done at home. It was the third biggest at that time.

• The biggest was Operation RECUPERATION. This happened in 1998 after a huge ice storm hit Southern Ontario and Quebec.
• The second biggest was Operation ASSISTANCE. This was in 1997 when the Red River flooded in Manitoba.

These operations show how the Canadian military helps Canadians during natural disasters.

Recognizing Heroism

During Operation PEREGRINE, many people worked very hard. One person, Major Richard Erland, received a special award. He was given the Meritorious Service Medal (MSM).

This medal is for people who show great dedication and leadership. Major Erland was recognized for his work during the firestorm in Kelowna. He helped keep things organized and calm during a very stressful time. His actions showed great credit to the Canadian Forces and to Canada.