“There was one homestead where the fire came at it from two separate directions during the day.
“The Old Ongerup Road was burnt on both sides, and it was seriously impacted by fire. There were a lot of trees and bushland on fire, and there were loaders pushing trees back off the road.”
Residents had earlier in the afternoon been advised to evacuate their homes, with a temporary evacuation centre set up at Pingerup Race Club, however, by 2.30pm, residents were told it was too late to leave.
“Fire has impacted evacuation routes and leaving now will put your life in danger,” the DFES alert read.
The fire was downgraded to a watch and act at 7.45pm.
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More than 100 firefighters were at the scene on Wednesday strengthening containment lines, with the fire – which is now stationary – having burnt through more than 5000 hectares.
Nationals WA deputy leader Peter Rundle said his thoughts were with the farmer’s family and friends.
“The loss of a young volunteer who stepped forward to protect others is profoundly heartbreaking, and it is a stark reminder of the very real risks faced by those who serve on the front line to keep our communities safe,” he said.
“This tragedy is made even more devastating by the fact that it is the second life lost to bushfire in my electorate in just one month. Communities are exhausted, hurting and grieving, and the cumulative toll of this fire season is being felt deeply across the region.”
The man’s death comes two weeks after Shire of Ravensthorpe deputy president Mark Mudie was killed in a bushfire while trying to establish a firebreak on his West River farm.
