Falling tree kills farmer tackling blaze in Mindarabin, in WA's Great Southern
The 34-year-old died when a tree crushed his vehicle. (Supplied)
A 34-year-old farmer has been killed helping fire crews battle a bushfire in WA’s south.
The man was driving along Old Ongerup Road in Mindarabin at 8:10pm yesterday when a tree fell onto his vehicle, crushing the cab.
He sustained critical injuries and died at the scene, about 400 kilometres south-east of Perth.
Around 100 firefighters worked to tackle the blaze, which reached emergency level. (Supplied: Graeme Savage)
He is the second farmer to die fighting bushfires in the same region this month, after Ravensthorpe farmer Mark Mudie was killed in a fire earlier in West River, about 500km south-east of Perth.
At least two blazes started in the area between Gnowangerup and Ongerup just after midday yesterday as gusty winds hit the region and temperatures tipped over 40 degrees Celsius.
More than 100 firefighters, local farmers and several water bombers battled the blaze which has burnt through more than 5,500 hectares.
It reached emergency level yesterday but has since been downgraded to advice level.
The 34-year-old's death is not being treated as suspicious, and police will prepare a report for the coroner.
'Heartbreaking' loss
Member for Roe Peter Rundle said his thoughts were with the man'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.
Police Minister Reece Whitby described the man's death as "enormously tragic".
The fire burnt through crops. (Supplied: Graeme Savage)
"This is incredibly devastating news close to Christmas that we have lost, it appears, another person in the Great Southern who was out there involved in a fire operation," he said.
"It can be incredibly dangerous out there at the fire front — these men and women do so because they are a part of their communities, they want to help and serve and protect their communities."
Properties lost at Warradarge
Meanwhile, a bushfire burning for four days in the farming community of Warradarge in WA's Midwest has razed more than 13,000 hectares.
The fire in Warradarge, in the Shire of Coorow, killed at least 300 sheep, destroyed two vacant homes, two sheds, a donga, hundreds of kilometres of fencing and a significant amount of wheat and lupin crops.
The fire escalated quickly on Sunday and burned at emergency level for more than 24 hours before the alert level was downgraded.
More than 100 volunteer firefighters from local brigades and about 60 farm units worked to contain the blaze.
The fire razed over 13,000 hectares of farm and reserve land. (Supplied: Sarah Dring)
Coorow Shire President Guy Sims said he could not overemphasise the "tremendous" efforts of local farmers and volunteer brigades, who worked without power or mobile coverage.
Sarah Dring, who owns a family sheep farm, said the losses of crop, stock and property were devastating for the whole farming community.
Her own farm lost fencing, hay and ungrazed pastures, but the family managed to save most of their sheep.
At least 300 sheep were lost to the blaze but farmer Sarah Dring saved most of hers. (Supplied: Sarah Dring)
"I had minutes. They were in the corner of the paddock. The whole paddock was burnt," she said.
"I got off the fire truck and jumped in a ute. They were five minutes from not having anywhere to go."