Backyard fire lands man in court

A police prosecutor told the court Wells lit a one square metre fire in his backyard to dispose of material on January 30.

Shepparton had been declared a fire danger area about two months earlier on November 27, 2023.

He had used a hose to try to put it out, the court heard.

Wells told police he was “just burning tree branches” and he didn’t think he needed a permit.

Representing himself in court, Wells said he didn’t realise it was a fire danger period.

Magistrate Simon Zebrowski told Wells regardless of whether it was a fire danger period or not, it was a good idea to not light fires during summer and late spring in the country.

He was fined $500.