Ian and Sue Jack’s property in the upper end of the valley was one of dozens impacted by the fire.

The blaze, sparked by a gum tree falling onto power lines, burnt more than 7000 hectares of land, destroyed four homes and killed nearly 1000 head of stock.

Mr Jack attended a public inquiry into fire preparedness in Wodonga on Wednesday.

He made a submission to the inquiry and told The Border Mail the months after the fire had been a bureaucratic headache.

“The aftermath of the fire was much more devastating than the actual fire itself,” he said.

“It burnt about six kilometres of external boundaries and about one kilometre of internal boundaries.”

Mr Jack said he had been left with trees hanging over his fence line which authorities had been reluctant to clear.

His property backs onto national park and the Mt Pilot reference area. Debris filled his property when the first rain fell after the fire.

“The fire shouldn’t have happened in the first place,” Mr Jack said.

“It’s through neglect of not fuel reducing that area that has caused it.

“The amount of fuel added to the intensity of the fire and the loss of biodiversity.

“You talk about habitat loss … this is absolutely disastrous. 

“It couldn't be worse. 

“It's just bare rock.”

The fire also destroyed feed and has caused kangaroos, pigs, goats and deer to roam through the couple’s property. 

Mr Jack had to sell his stock after the fire as the animals could no longer be contained. 

Wednesday's inquiry heard a range of thoughts on fuel reduction burns. 

Hancock Victoria Plantations corporate fire manager Ruth Ryan said a fundamental principle of bushfire reduction was planned burns. 

But she noted all fires came with inherent risks. 

“There is no such thing as safe burning,” Ms Ryan said. 

“There will always be a risk when introducing fire into the natural environment … it's all about how we manage that risk.”

Mr Ryan said there should be a “no blame” approach when planned burn decisions are made in good faith. 

Parklands Albury-Wodonga ranger Ant Packer argued for smaller but more frequent burns on city fringes. 

Wodonga Urban Landcare facilitator Anne Stelling also called for more targeted fuel reduction “rather than burning for burning’s sake”. 

The inquiry has sat twice in Melbourne and will travel to Euroa for further hearings on Thursday.