Liam James Stanger, 39, was taking out his misplaced anger at police when he lit the fires near Koetong on February 23 last year.

But he was unaware a couple were working in a paddock next to the scene of one of the fires, near the Murray Valley Highway, when he struck.

They spotted his Ford Escape station wagon as it headed into a bush trail, and later saw smoke.

The two fires burnt for about four-and-a-half hours and cost the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning $17,664.

The County Court on Friday heard Stanger had long felt persecuted by police, and believed they unjustly targeted him and kept him under surveillance.

He was pulled over by a Tallangatta officer near the town a short time before the fires.

He was already in a bad mood, and despite only being given a warning about his speed instead of a ticket, the incident set him off.

"You told the police you were angry, and set the fires to release that anger," Judge Frances Dalziel said, noting that he hadn't considered the innocent victims who could have been affected.

He had only been out of jail for two months after committing a robbery in Wodonga when he lit the fires.

His mother said he had suffered grandiose, delusional and paranoid thoughts while in custody.

Judge Dalziel said there had been a significant risk of the fires spreading.

The fuel hazard rating for both fire sites was extreme.

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Temperatures of about 32 degrees with low humidity were recorded.

The temperature remained about 26 degrees three hours after the fires started.

Despite initially denying any involvement after his arrest in Shepparton on May 10 last year, Stanger made full admissions after being presented with evidence.

He had used a lighter at both spots before driving away, with his vehicle captured on a security camera at the Koetong Hotel a short time later.

Judge Dalziel said it was important to deter such behaviour.

"Bushfires can be devastating to the bush and the creatures that live there, to the homes and livelihoods of people, and present a serious risk to those who fight fires," she said.

"It is a matter of public knowledge how devastating bushfires can be.

"The need to deter people from setting fires whilst reckless as to the spread of the fire to the property of others is as obvious as it is important."

The court heard the 39-year-old externalised the blame for his issues.

"Your prospects of rehabilitation are of concern," Judge Dalziel said.

Stanger has a string of prior convictions dating back decades, including for a robbery at the Soul Pattinson Chemist in Wodonga's High Street in 2018.

He had walked into the chemist, wearing a hoodie, and took $600 worth of drugs.

The court on Friday heard Stanger had started using drugs, including heroin and speed, at age 18.

He has gone cold turkey off methadone after being unable to access the treatment while in jail.

He will be eligible for parole in June 2022 with a maximum prison term of three years.