A North Richmond man has been fined $2200 by police after allegedly lighting paper, sticks and wooden floor boards during a total fire ban.
Hawkesbury police were patrolling the North Richmond area when they became aware of a fire in the vicinity about 10.30am on Sunday, December 1.
A total fire ban was in place for the Greater Sydney Region, which includes the Hawkesbury, a police statement said.
"After identifying the location of the fire, police went to the property where they saw a man attempting to control the fire with a garden hose," police stated.
"Police spoke with the man and he admitted attempting to burn a pile of paper, sticks and wooden floor boards.
"When questioned by police, it is alleged that he admitted that he knew a Total Fire Burn was in place but made the decision to go ahead with the burn."
NSW Rural Fire Service units and NSW Fire and Rescue attended and extinguished the fire before it broke containment and spread to nearby properties, police stated.
A 35-year-old North Richmond man was issued with an infringement notice for $2,200 for failing to comply with the requirements of a declared total fire ban.
"It is extremely disappointing, given the risk we are facing with fire in our communities, that any person would make a decision to ignore the requirements on a day declared a total fire ban," Chief Inspector Garry Sims APM, Duty Officer at Hawkesbury Police Area Command (PAC) said.
"Actions such as this are considered as irresponsible by police."
