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.
He 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.
Mr Mudie and his wife Elaine had farmed in the area for 35 years. His son Nathan described him as a 'great community man' who was on the cusp of retirement. The family had recently built a house in Denmark, with plans for Mr Mudie to take a step back from farming.
The bushfire, which is still not contained, swept through 5,000 hectares during peak harvest season. Authorities described conditions as 'treacherous', with hot, gusty winds putting crews under immense pressure.
Local MP Peter Rundle and Premier Roger Cook paid tribute to Mr Mudie in parliament, with the Premier saying 'all our hearts go out to the community and the family'.
