Communities rally to battle tragic fires near Ongerup and support each other in wake of tragedy
Damage from the Ongerup/Mindarabin bushfire seen from the air. (ABC News: Anthony Pancia)
In short:
In the wake of the fatal fires in Western Australia earlier this week, stories are emerging of how hundreds of people responded to the blazes.
A responder died in the Mindarabin fire after a fire-damaged tree fell on his vehicle.
What's next?
WorkSafe is investigating the death of the young farmer and a report will be prepared for the coroner.
Stories are emerging of how volunteers and emergency services saved homes from fire and rallied together in the wake of tragedy in a farming region of Western Australia.
A fire broke out in the locality of Mindarabin shortly after midday on Tuesday in the Shire of Gnowangerup, 380 kilometres south-east of Perth.
Hundreds of farmers from surrounding areas helped fight the Mindarabin fire on December 16, 2025. (Supplied: Simeon Maher)
Government agencies issued an emergency-level alert — reserved for out-of-control fires which require people in the area to take immediate action in order to survive — and an evacuation centre was set up for residents leaving Ongerup and surrounding areas.
'Incredible' response
Gnowangerup Shire president Kate O'Keeffe said there was an "incredible" response from farmers and volunteer brigades when a request for assistance went out on Tuesday afternoon.
"To see more than 100 people respond to a fire-SMS within the hour is really encouraging, and I'm just really grateful,"she said.
One of those people was farmhand Simeon Maher, who could see "black mushroom cloud after mushroom cloud" from more than 30km away in Mills Lake.
"Lots of people from lots of different farms come over and helped, some of the older farmers, retired ones still come out and helped," he said.
"I've got a lot of respect for everyone who comes out and does that."
Farmhand Simeon Maher of Mills Lake helped battle the Mindarabin fire. (ABC Great Southern: Andrew Chounding)
Saving a homestead
Water bombers were sent in by the Department of Emergency Services to assist ground crews, and together they managed to save a homestead which was directly threatened by approaching flames.
"We were all right at the house watching the flames come towards us in the barley crops, and they dropped the bomber right in front of us," Mr Maher said.
"Once they dropped that bomb, everyone ran out there and started putting all the spot fires out … we got on top of that, stayed on top of that and saved the house."
Several water bombers were sent to the Mindarabin fire. (Supplied: Simeon Maher)
'Can't see what's coming for you'
Mr Maher said there were terrifying moments while saving the homestead.
"We were around the house and the wind changed and the smoke came over top and we couldn't see nothing, but luckily, we had two-ways so were able to hear everyone."
The smoke was so thick it obscured a fire truck around 10 metres away, Mr Maher said.
"It was a pretty scary moment, not going to lie, because you can't see what's coming for you."
Smoke obscuring a nearby vehicle, estimated to be 10 metres away, in the Mindarabin fires. (Supplied: Simeon Maher)
He said the intensity of the wind and heat on the day made the fire more challenging than any others he has fought.
"It was just another level … I've never had that wind and that intensity, it was crazy."
Crews were able to control the fire after it had burned through around 5,500 hectares of predominantly farmland.
Falling tree kills young farmer
Later that evening, a 34-year-old man was killed when a fire-damaged tree fell on his vehicle.
The young farmer had been returning from the fireground after the helping to bring the fire under control.
The death was devastating for the tight-knit communities in the area.
"Pretty hard, pretty hard, especially he's a well-known person, there's a lot of good people out here, he fought hard for what he did," Mr Maher said.
Amid the tragedy, crews continued to work over following days, preventing strong winds from reigniting the blaze.
"[His death] would have weighed heavily on our firefighters," Ms O'Keeffe said.
"The most important thing as a community is that we all look after each other."
Ms O'Keeffe says there is a great deal of sadness around the death. (ABC News: Jamie Thannoo)
Community rallies
As crews returned from the fireground, the shire enlisted the help of a nearby cafe in Amelup, 55km away.
"They were just asking if we could provide 100 burgers for the crew that were still out and going to mop up, so we did," Bluff Knoll Cafe owner Catherine Marinovich said.
She said communities in the surrounding areas also banded together to support the family of the man who died.
"With the tragedy that's happened, we already know that the farmers are going to be heading to his farm and continuing with the harvest to make sure that his farm's taken care of," she said.
Bluff Knoll Cafe owner Catherine Marinovich prepared more than 100 meals for crews battling the Mindarabin fires. (ABC Great Southern: Andrew Chounding)
Investigations continue
Worksafe is investigating the death of the young farmer and WA Police said a report would be prepared for the coroner.
The Department of Emergency Services said the cause of the fire had been identified as lighting.
Western Power said the Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety was conducting an investigation into the source of the fire, in line with usual practice.
The department has been contacted for comment.
Damage from the Ongerup/Mindarabin bushfire seen from the air. (ABC News: Anthony Pancia)