Farmer who died in West River bushfire identified as Shire of Ravensthorpe deputy president Mark Mudie

A farmer who died saving his beloved family farm from a bushfire has been identified as respected community member and Shire of Ravensthorpe deputy president Mark Mudie. Mr Mudie was operating a front-end loader in a desperate attempt to establish a firebreak in West River, near Ravensthorpe, when it became engulfed in flames on Monday afternoon. He could not be saved and died at the scene. “An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the man’s death will be conducted by WA Police, who will prepare a report for the coroner,” a police spokesperson said. The Ravensthorpe local worked on his family farm with his wife, Elaine, and son Nathan, where they farmed across 7000ha of arable land. In 2019, he told The West Australian it was a dream come true to work with his son. “It is just great to have him here, he does the spraying, checks the paddocks, does sheep work and maintenance,” he said at the time. Mr Mudie was elected the Shire’s Deputy President in October 2023 with his term set to end in 2027. He was a member of the council’s audit committee, bushfire advisory committee, community stakeholder consultative committee and CEO performance review. He was also part of the Great Southern Road group, North Ravensthorpe community group and WALGA Great Southern Country Zone committee. The Shire of Ravensthorpe said it was “devastated by the death of a local man at the West River fire yesterday afternoon”. “Our thoughts are with his family and friends, and also all emergency services still working on the fire,” the statement said. “WA Police are now investigating. “The Shire of Ravensthorpe will not be commenting further at this stage.” Premier Roger Cook described Mr Mudie’s death as a “desperately sad situation”, and acknowledged the tight-knit community would be devastated. “Our hearts go out to that gentleman and his family,” he said. “It’s just another reminder how quickly things can turn and how quickly you can have a loss of life and it’s a very sad day.” Emergency Services Minister Paul Papalia said the incident was a “terrible tragedy”, and said it highlighted the dangers of bushfires. “Overnight, we’ve had very sad confirmation that a man in his 60s has lost his life to a bushfire in the vicinity of Ravensthorpe,” he said. “Bushfires are incredibly dangerous, and this confirms the terrible danger that we confront and our firefighters, volunteers and community members face at this time of the year. “Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of the gentleman who’s died.” Roe MP Peter Rundle expressed his condolences to the farmer’s family and friends. “It’s a very tragic occurrence, and my thoughts and our party’s thoughts go out to those families and friends, and we certainly wish everyone in the community of Ravensthorpe, West River and the like, all the best in containing that fire as well,” he said. He said the death was another hit to the town, referencing the recent closure of two local nickel and lithium mines. “Ravensthorpe has undergone some tough times recently, and with the closure of a couple of the mines as well, and also the store and the community store, which will be reopened in the not too distant future,” he said. “I think this just flows on, and it’s it’s a tough time for that community, as I said, my sympathies go out to that community, but especially to family and friends.” A bushfire watch and act is still in place for locals bound 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 the Shire of Jerramungup. The fire — which started about 2.20pm on Monday — has burned about 4199ha of land, and is moving slowly in a north-easterly direction. It is contained and not controlled. Bushfire service and volunteer fire and emergency service firefighters are still on scene strengthening containment lines. The cause of the fire, which is understood to have started on Mr Mudie’s property, is under investigation but is not being treated as suspicious Mr Mudie’s death comes almost two years after volunteer firefighter Harry Stead died battling a blaze on his neighbour’s property in Coomalbidgup, about 60km west of Esperance, on Boxing Day in 2023.