West River bushfire: Local farmer dies while fighting bushfire in front-end loader near Ravensthorpe

A man in his 60s died while fighting an out-of-control bushfire on the south coast.

A local farmer turned on a front-end loader in a desperate attempt to install firebreaks on the West River near Ravensthorpe when the river burst into flames on Monday afternoon, police said.

The man could not be saved and died at the scene.

“The 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 spokesman said.

The fire, which started around 2:20 p.m., destroyed nearly 300 hectares of farmland and threatened several homes near the West River and Fitzgerald Road.

The fire is slowly moving towards the northeast. It is contained but not controlled.

Bushfire watches and action are still in place for local residents on the South Coast Highway, Lake Road, Mallee Road and Koornong Road in the West River and West Fitzgerald in the Shire of Ravensthorpe and the Shire of Jerramungup.

The bushfire service and volunteer fire and emergency services firefighters are still on scene to reinforce containment lines.

The cause of the fire is being investigated but is not considered suspicious.