---
title: Home
url: http://sawyersvalley.bfb.asn.au/
description: The Sawyers Valley Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade in the Perth Hills region of Western Australia — its origins, equipment, major fire engagements, and modern role.
---
Located within the Shire of Mundaing in the Perth Hills region of Western Australia, the **Sawyers Valley Volunteer Bushfire Brigade (VBFB)** forms part of the emergency services network managed by the Shire of Mundaring in conjunction with the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES).

### Early Origins & Community Defence

- **Early 1900s:** Informal community firefighting in the Mundaring and Sawyers Valley region began as agricultural settlement, timber milling, and orchards expanded throughout the Darling Scarp. Local landowners banded together using wet burlap sacks, hand tools, and horse-drawn water carts to protect properties.
- **Mid-20th Century:** Following formal legislative frameworks established by the *Bush Fires Act 1954*, local bushfire brigades across the Darling Range transitioned from informal neighbour groups into organised, council-backed volunteer brigades.

### Equipment & Operations Evolution

- **1960s–1980s:** Like many Perth Hills brigades, Sawyers Valley initially relied on farm-converted vehicles, surplus military/government trucks, and basic “slip-on” water tanks mounted to local farm utility vehicles.
- **Modern Fleet Integration:** Over time, the Emergency Services Levy and Shire support modernised the brigade’s inventory. Currently it consists of a Light Tanker and 1.4 Rural Tanker.

### Major Fire Engagements

Sawyers Valley VBFB has played a critical role in defending both local communities and broader Western Australia during major bushfire events across the Perth Hills and regional WA:

- **1996 Chidlow Fires:** Heavy deployment alongside neighbouring Mundaring and regional units.
- **2014 Parkerville–Stoneville–Mundaring Bushfire:** Crucial front-line response effort to contain aggressive suburban-wildland interface fires.
- **2021 Wooroloo Bushfire:** Volunteer crews provided extensive structural defence, containment line building, and mop-up efforts during one of the most destructive Perth Hills bushfires in recent history.

### Modern Role & Capabilities

Today, the brigade operates out of its station on Railway Terrace in Sawyers Valley. Beyond active firefighting, volunteers focus on:

- **Controlled Hazard Reduction:** Conducting prescribed burns during shoulder seasons to protect local rural-residential zones.
- **Community Education:** Assisting residents with bushfire preparation plans and property maintenance advice.
- **Inter-Agency Support:** Deploying crews across Western Australia during major fire emergencies via strike teams.