General News
17 September, 2024
Warm up for next winter with free forest firewood
Householders can get onto the front foot and prepare early for next winter by collecting free firewood from approved state forest areas.
Domestic firewood in state forests is provided from fallen trees and forest management works to clean up after storms.
Its collection for personal use also reduces bushfire risk and creates safe access to forests for visitors and emergency workers.
Acting team leader of values and assets planning Tim Mayr said the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action balanced allowing access to firewood with safety, forest values, biodiversity and cultural heritage.
“People can collect up to two cubic metres per person per day with a maximum of 16 cubic metres per household per financial year, as long as they collect from designated firewood collection areas during a firewood season," Mr Mayr said.
Maps for this spring season’s designated collection areas are available at www.ffm.vic.gov.au/firewood
“It’s important Victorians plan their firewood needs early as it can take at least eight to 12 months for firewood collected during the collection season to be dry enough to burn safely and effectively," Mr Mayr said.
It’s illegal to collect wood outside designated areas, chop down or damage any dead or standing trees, or to take vehicles off formed roads to collect or load wood.
Authorised officers patrol public land and can issue fines of more than $750 to anybody caught breaking the rules.
This year's firewood collecting season ends on November 30.