Operation Woods

On Monday, 1 February 2021 the Wooroloo fire started near Werribee Road, Wooroloo, Western Australia and was first reported at around 2pm. On Tuesday, 2 February 2021, the fire had travelled in a north-west direction spreading from the Shire of Mundaring into the City of Swan, destroying approximately 80% of properties in the township of Tilden Park. By Saturday, 6 February 2021, the fire had covered 26kms burning approximately 10,900 hectares.  

The emergency efforts transitioned from the response to recovery phase on Thursday, 11 February 2021. As of Thursday, 18 February 2021, approximately 320 properties had been damaged by the fire with 86 of those destroyed.  

Operation Woods was Disaster Relief Australia’s (DRA) first major operation in Western Australia, incorporating the launch of our Perth Disaster Relief and Recovery 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.  

As part of this new initiative, DRA coordinated deployment of our members and volunteers from Minderoo, including staff from Fortescue Metals and Western Force as well as providing on the ground support for recovery efforts. The Minderoo Fire and Flood Resilience Fund covered travel and accommodation costs. This collaboration ensures fire-affected communities are matched with skilled and experienced volunteers, to help them rebuild and recover from what has been the most devastating fire season in Australian history.