OPERATION WOODS
Perth Hills Fire Recovery
Status: Completed
In Response to: Devastating bushfires
Location: Perth, WA
Feb 27th 2021 – APRIL 24th
Objective
The Wooroloo / Gidgegannup Bushfire fire started in the Wooroloo area north east of Perth. It destroyed at least 86 dwellings, burning approximately 10500 ha of land with a fire perimeter of 136 km. DRA and the Minderoo Fire and Flood Resilience Fund stepped up in preparation to help with recovery efforts for the Perth Hills Bushfire. Together with partners, and building on our joint experience with the Black Summer Bushfires around Australia, DRA managed a database of specialist volunteers and deployed to areas that identified as needing assistance.
These volunteers included Fortescue and Western Force employees, as well as Minderoo Foundation staff who helped coordinate logistics and communications with affected residents.
News and Field Ops Reports
Community & Volunteer Reflections
Stephen and Luke Aspinal, Father and Son Veterans
Luke I was an Air Surveillance Operator (ASOP) in the RAAF for 9 years. My duties varied, ASOP’s were part of the intelligence branch so that can be broad. Some of the main tasks were: Operating radars in the air defence and border security roles; Tactical datalinks...
Operation Woods Post Op Summary
Operation Woods was Disaster Relief Australia’s (DRA) first major operation in Western Australia, incorporating the launch of our Perth Disaster Relief Team. DRA collaboration with the Minderoo Foundation’s Fire and Flood Resilience initiative, partnering to rapidly deploy volunteers into the region to help with recovery efforts for the Perth Hills Bushfire.
Really good seeing you guys here – David Massie
It’s really good seeing you guys here, it’s been 7 weeks since the fire came through and did an awful lot of damage to the property and you guys have been the first people to actually arrive on the property and start helping with the clean up. Just your response has...
Operation Woods Update
Disaster Relief Australia felt a sense of urgency to quickly gear up and provide much needed bushfire recovery to those affected by the Perth Hills bushfires. We leaned forwards to spin up our newest Disaster Relief Team in Perth. This was no small task and a worthy...
Something Salvageable – Veteran, Kylie Baumback
Kylie Baumback: Front row, 3rd from left As a child my family home was totally destroyed by fire. The memories and details have never fully left me, the traumatic feeling of loss linger in the back of my mind popping up every now and again to remind me of the intense...
Time to Support – Rebecca Talbot
I'm a born and bred Perth Hills girl, previously in the Glen Forest volunteer brigade. The footage of the fires was heartbreaking, I wanted to give my time to support the community recover and rebuild. On this operation I spoke to a bloke to book a damage assessment....