Shire of Ravensthorpe deputy president Mark Mudie was trying to create a fire break with a front-end loader at West River, about 450km southeast of Perth.
He died at the scene as the fire tore through the remote Ravensthorpe region, burning about 4200 hectares of farmland by Tuesday morning.
WA Liberal senator Slade Brockman said Mr Mudie was a hard-working farmer and community member.
"I am saddened by the news of the passing of a Ravensthorpe community leader, Mark Mudie - a farmer, deputy president of the Shire of Ravensthorpe and a man who worked tirelessly for his community and family farm," he wrote on Facebook.
"Our hearts go out to Mark's family, friends and neighbours in this tragic time."
Nationals state MP Lachlan Hunter also expressed his condolences to Mr Mudie's family and friends "as they grapple with this devastating loss".
"Our farmers and regional volunteers are so often on the front line, facing risks most people never see."
Mr Mudie died after emergency services responded to reports homes in the vicinity of West River Road and Fitzgerald Road were under threat at 2.20pm on Monday.
"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 statement said.
"The cause of the fire remains under investigation but is currently not being treated as suspicious."
It was a "desperately sad situation", Premier Roger Cook said.
"This will impact the entire community. A fire is a traumatic event ... but when it's combined with a loss of life, that's devastating," he told reporters.
A bushfire Watch and Act warning remains in place for the West River and West Fitzgerald areas.
Authorities said the blaze was contained but not controlled, moving slowly northeast.
"There is a possible threat to lives and homes as a fire is burning in the area and conditions are changing," the warning said.
Harvest and vehicle movement bans are in place for the Ravensthorpe Shire.
It is the latest blaze to impact Western Australia after fires destroyed a home and threatened hundreds of others at Geraldton in the state's midwest.
Residents in the Geraldton area were told on Tuesday they could return to their homes with caution as roads reopened and evacuations centres closed.
A number of vehicles and sheds were also destroyed with crews at one stage battling 80km/h winds and temperatures soaring above 40C.
Detectives are investigating whether arsonists lit some of the Geraldton fires that threatened hundreds of properties, including an aged care facility.
12°C