Mark Mudie, 59, has been identified as the farmer killed while battling a fire near Ravensthorpe on Western Australia's south coast. Mr Mudie was the Shire of Ravensthorpe's deputy president and a respected member of the farming community.
Mr Mudie was operating a front-end loader to establish a firebreak on his property in West River on Monday afternoon when his vehicle became engulfed by flames. He died at the scene.
His family described him as a "great community man" who was on the cusp of retirement. His son Nathan said his father was a family man and passionate about farming, and would be greatly missed.
The bushfire, which is still not contained, swept through 5,000 hectares in peak harvest season. Authorities described conditions on the fireground as "treacherous", with hot, gusty winds putting crews under pressure.
Local MP Peter Rundle and Premier Roger Cook paid tribute to Mr Mudie in parliament, offering condolences to his family and the community.
