Many Victorians depend on firewood for energy, heating, and cooking, and while there are permitted areas to collect firewood in state forests, there are a few rules that need to be followed to ensure that this important natural resource is managed sustainably.
Firstly, it's important to remember that firewood can only be collected from designated areas during autumn and spring and any firewood collected must be for personal use only. It cannot be sold or used for commercial purposes.
To ensure there's enough for everyone, collection limits apply, with a maximum of two cubic meters per person per day and a total of 16 cubic meters of firewood per household per financial year.
When collecting be sure to only take wood from trees or parts of trees already on the ground. It is illegal to cut down, break off, or damage any standing trees, even if they're dead as they provide important shelter for wildlife.
Many of our native species such as birds, reptiles, and small mammals, rely on the hollows in both standing and fallen trees for habitat and it can take hundreds of years for nature to recreate these hollows when they've been taken. So, please - don't destroy their homes to heat yours.
Be sure to take care of yourself and others while collecting firewood by wearing the right safety clothing, only using equipment you're trained in, including chainsaws, and being aware of weather conditions and other hazards in the area.
The Conservation Regulator is responsible for enforcing firewood collection rules and Authorised Officers regularly patrol state forests, parks, and reserves. We target the illegal take of firewood to protect forest health, wildlife habitat, and the sustainability of community resources.
If you are buying firewood, it's important to know where it comes from. You can help protect the environment by asking the seller a few questions about where the wood is sourced, why it might be cheaper than expected, and if you can get a receipt for the transaction. A reputable seller should be able to provide detailed answers to these questions.
Penalties apply to anyone caught illegally taking or selling firewood from public land and you can report suspicious behaviour by calling 136 186.
For more information about firewood collection rules, head to our website of conservationregulator.vic.gov.au or to find out about designated collection areas and times, go to the Forest Fire Management Victoria website at ffm.vic.gov.au.
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