Farmer killed in WA bushfire identified as shire deputy president

A farmer who died while trying to fight a bushfire on Western Australia’s south coast on Monday afternoon has been identified as Shire of Ravensthorpe deputy president Mark Mudie.

Mudie had been responding to a bushfire emergency that was threatening properties in the agricultural region, and was operating a front-end loader to establish a firebreak on his West River farm, when his vehicle was engulfed by flames.

WA Police said he died at the scene. Detective Inspector Rhonda Alexander said Mudie was working with others to stop the blaze.

“Just after 2pm [Monday] afternoon, emergency services were called … to a large fire in the [Ravensthorpe] area,” she said.

“People were working in and around that property and ... we believe a fire has started.

“The gentleman was operating a front end loader to try and create a fire break, as any farmer would do.

“Unfortunately, while he was doing that, the fire has come and engulfed the area that he was in, and he couldn’t be saved.”

Alexander said Mudie was at the scene trying to protect crops and outbuildings with a fire break.

“[Mudie] was working as a farm owner, and to save crops and outbuildings and other people, he’s gone to ... make a fire break, and unfortunately, he’s lost his life doing it.”

Mudie’s farm and surrounding properties suffered some damage to crops from the fire, which detectives said was not believed to be suspicious.

Worksafe WA has been notified.

Volunteer fire brigades and West Australian politicians have offered their condolences to the Mudie family.

The Lower Chittering Fire Brigade, who were battling their own out-of-control fire at the weekend, said in a statement their thoughts were with all those impacted by Mudie’s death.

“In light of the tragic loss of the landowner in the West River bushfire yesterday, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and the local community of West River,” they said.

“This is an incredibly difficult time, and our thoughts are with all those affected by this devastating event.

“May you find comfort and support in one another as you navigate through this painful loss. We stand with you during this challenging time.”

WA Premier Roger Cook said the death was a desperately sad situation.

“Obviously, Ravensthorpe is a tight-knit and small community,” he said.

“They will be impacted by this, and [this] will have a lasting impact on their community.

“A fire is a traumatic event for any community, but when it’s combined with a loss of life, that’s devastating, so our hearts are going out to them today.”

Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas also spoke about Mudie in parliament on Tuesday.

“I’d like to extend my condolences on behalf of everybody on this side of the house to the farmer who died in the Ravensthorpe bushfire,” he said.

“We extend our sincere and profound condolences to a man who died trying to assist not only his family, but his community.

“It reminds us all of the perils of living in Western Australia at this time of the year in particular.”

Nationals politician and Katanning farmer Peter Rundle offered his own condolences.

“Thinking of all those involved [and] many thanks to the emergency volunteers,” he said.

“A tragic loss for this community, one of our own lost too soon.”

The shire also released a statement on Tuesday.

“The Shire of Ravensthorpe is devastated by the death of a local man at the West River fire yesterday afternoon,” it read.

“Our thoughts are with his family and friends, and also all emergency services still working on the fire.”

Mudie worked on his 7000-hectare family sheep farm alongside his wife and son.

He was elected to the shire as deputy president in 2023, and was also a member of the council’s bushfire advisory committee.

Mudie was well known for his contribution to the region’s wildflower show, where he supplied Lambs Tail flowers for visitors to photograph.

The fire is moving slowly in a north-east direction, and is contained but not controlled.

More than 4000 hectares have been burnt so far, and a bushfire watch and act remains active for people bounded by South Coast Highway, Lake Road, Mallee Road, Fitzgerald Road and Koornong Road in West River and West Fitzgerald, in the Shire of Ravensthorpe and Shire of Jerramungup.

About 60 firefighters are working to stop the blaze from spreading, and power has been cut to about 30 surrounding homes and properties.

Mudie’s death comes two years after volunteer firefighter Harry Stead was fatally injured after falling from a private firefighting vehicle while conducting fire suppression activities on a farm near Esperance.

The 2020 Hale School graduate was the son of prominent farmer and CBH Group chairman Simon Stead.

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