Perth hills bushfires: Lord Mayor’s Distress Relief Fund surges past $12m for Wooroloo blaze victims

The Lord Mayor’s Distress Relief Fund has raised a staggering $12 million for the victims of the Wooroloo fires.

Applications for the first $25,000 LMDRF rapid response grants opened yesterday for those who lost homes in the recent fires which destroyed 86 properties.

Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas said the LMDRF was overwhelmed by the support it have received from the local community — sending its thanks to all the frontline workers on the ground at the time.

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“We cannot forget the heroic fire crews who battled the blaze on the ground and in the air, managing to contain the fire in the north-east last week,” Lord Mayor Zempilas said,

“We would like to wholeheartedly thank the 800 fireys and emergency services personnel for their efforts,” he said.

Corporate Australia continues to share its support with mining giants BHP and Rio Tinto each donating $2 million to the fund which opened on February 3.

West Aussies have also embraced the opportunity to turn their containers into donations for those impacted by the fires — with over 60,000 containers donated to the fund since February 6.

The LMDRF remains open for donations.

It is the 50th time the distress fund has been activated in 60 years since a devastating bushfire destroyed Dwellingup in 1961.