Captain Matthew LePoidevin said people had been burning illegal materials and forgoing permits required by Wangaratta Council.

"We're getting a bit frustrated," he said.

Under the Rural City of Wangaratta by-laws residents are required to obtain a permit for any lighting incinerator or open air burns in residential, commercial or industrial areas.

Any fire, including smoke, can't interfere with others, even with a permit.

Furthermore, burning plastic, rubber, food waste, paint tins, pressurised cans, textile fabrics, illegal substances and other noxious materials is prohibited.

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Mr LePoidevin said people weren't listening.

"We had a call the other night," he said.

"He was burning chairs, plastic, there was a couch involved...we could smell the plastic approximately a kilometre away.

He said his brigade had attended another call to a business, which had tied up resources and volunteer time.

"There were three brigades paged, so 15 to 20 volunteers pulled away from their tea table," he said.

"We had four appliances on route after something that's not necessary."

Mr LePoidevin said the rules protected public health and the environment.

He encouraged people to dispose of their materials in the right way.

"Take them to the transfer station or put them in the bin," he said.

"It's not rocket science.

"We get a bit fed up with it at times, people just need to do the right thing at the end of the day and it's not hard."

Mr LePoidevin said people wanting advice on burning off could phone or Facebook message the brigade, or visit the shed in person.

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