Crossman Volunteer Bushfire Brigade captain Paul Lloyd has made the top three finalists for the WA Fire and Emergency Services Awards for his work in the Boddington bushfire over Christmas last year.

He has been listed for the Murray Lang Bush Fire Service Award which highlights his outstanding service and exceptional commitment to the bushfire brigade.

The Boddington fires were sparked on December 15 by a lightning strike and intensified over Christmas, burning 4149ha and destroying two uninhabited structures.

For Mr Lloyd, the recognition comes after what he describes as one of the toughest experiences he has faced.

“It was a pretty hard day, the farmer that I worked for lost nearly 3000 acres that day and that was on a lease block,” he said.

“It was pretty hard work and wasn’t very enjoyable.”

The timing of the fire added another layer of difficulty, forcing volunteers to put family celebrations aside to protect their community.

“(Working Christmas Day) that was extremely hard,” Mr Lloyd said.

“I was supposed to be in Perth that day for Christmas but like a lot of people’s plans, they got changed pretty quickly — it wasn’t something we were looking forward to.”

Despite the challenges, Mr Lloyd said the fire highlighted the resilience of the local community and has now changed the way people think about bushfire risk.

“The community has really pulled together through it all,” he said.

“It’s made the community a whole lot more aware of bushfires and I suppose a realisation that it can happen anywhere at any time.”

Mr Lloyd said he is thankful that his employer and family support him and his volunteer fire responsibilities.

“I’m lucky that I’ve got an employer who allows me to come and do what I do out here,” he said.

“Also my family backup as well — everybody gets left at home and we’re out doing hard work, so they worry just as much as we do.”

Mr Lloyd said being named a finalist was not something he expected and said the recognition had left him feeling overwhelmed.

“I am a bit overwhelmed — I just go and volunteer and do it for the community,” he said.

“Obviously the guys and girls at the brigade have gone above and recognised my work that I do I suppose so I’m still a bit overwhelmed by it all.”

Mr Lloyd is up against Chris Hynes of Waterloo and Popanyinning’s Tim Haslam for the award which will be announced in September.