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Farmer who died in bushfires identified as deputy shire president of WA Town
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Farmer who died in bushfires identified as deputy shire president of WA Town

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The farmer who died in a bushfire that threatened his property on Western Australia’s south coast has been identified as Shire of Ravensthorpe vice-president Mark Mudie.
Mudie, 59, was using a front loader to build a firebreak on his property at West River, near Ravensthorpe, when his vehicle was engulfed in flames.
Police said he died at the scene.

WA Liberal Senator Slade Brockman said Mudie was a hardworking farmer and community member.

Mark Mudie was a leader who “worked tirelessly for his community,” a state senator said. Credit: Shire of Ravensthorpe

“I am saddened by the news of the passing of a Ravensthorpe community leader, Mark Mudie – a farmer, vice-president of the Shire of Ravensthorpe and a man who worked tirelessly for his community and family farm,” he wrote on Facebook.

Peter Rundle, the local MP for the region, paid tribute to Mudie in state parliament.

“I know him well and have spoken to him about many issues in the Ravensthorpe community,” he said.
WA Premier Roger Cook said it was a “desperately sad situation” that would have a “lasting impact” on the close-knit local community.
“A fire is a traumatic event for any community, but when it is accompanied by the loss of life it is devastating, so our hearts go out to them today,” he said.
WA Police said the fire was not being treated as suspicious.
A total fire ban was in effect in parts of the state on Tuesday.
A house was lost in the Western Australian regional city of Geraldton on Monday as more fires grew out of control.

Detectives are investigating whether arsonists started some of the fires that have also claimed sheds and cars and threatened hundreds of other properties, including a retirement home.

WA Emergency Services Minister Paul Papalia said: “That is appalling behaviour, completely unacceptable and [police] We will focus on identifying the perpetrators and bringing them to justice.”
He also criticized drone operators who flew their planes near the fire.
“An incredibly worrying situation has occurred where a number of people have been operating private drones in the vicinity of the fire,” he said.
“This is ridiculous behavior, incredibly dangerous and could hinder, if not endanger, the firefighting crew on those aircraft, and potentially lead to loss of life and infrastructure,” Papalia said.
In NSW, fires raged in the Goulburn River National Park and the Hunter Valley region after hot, dry conditions on Monday sparked dozens of fires.
More than 500 firefighters and incident management personnel were deployed across the state on Monday.
– With additional reporting by the Australian Associated Press

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