WAtoday

“You wake up and are you right for about two minutes, and then that overwhelming anxiety comes into your body and you’re just sick. Sick to your stomach.”

David Sudholz, Natimuk CFA captain and Michael’s brother, rushed out to fight the fire when it was spotted at 12.43pm, and was astounded by its speed.

“One minute [there] was nothing, and next minute we’re in the smoke, and then there was fires everywhere around us, like all the grass was suddenly catching fire,” he said.

Updated January 13, 2026 — 11:25am,first published January 13, 2026 — 7:42am

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More than 160 homes have been burnt down in the devastating fires across the state, as the full extent of last week’s catastrophic bushfires remains to be realised.

Laying back in the shade on a reclining camp chair with a cold drink and their beloved horses nearby, Mark and Julie King almost seem comfortable.

But the massive gumtrees towering above them won’t stop swaying, and the constant noise of the wind is a terrifying reminder of why they left their Maindample property for the refuge of the Mansfield Showgrounds.

“We came in last night because today was supposed to be the worst day,” Julie King said.

“We hope we’re here for nothing but, with that wind … wow.