Victorians can prepare for next winter by collecting free firewood for personal use from state forest firewood collection areas from 1 September until 30 November.

Domestic firewood in state forests is provided from fallen trees and forest management works to clean up after storms, to reduce bushfire risk and create safe access to forests for visitors and emergency workers.

Grampians Region Deputy Chief Fire Officer Jason Hellyer said the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) balances 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.”

Maps for this spring season’s designated collection areas and rules for collecting firewood will be live from midnight, Sunday 1 September, at FFMV’s Firewood website.

Several of the domestic firewood collection areas are in locations that have been impacted by windstorms and the Bayindeen bushfire in Mt Cole State Forest.

Roads may be closed at short notice to manage safety issues relating to either the bushfire recovery across the Grampians region or storm recovery works.
”Demand for firewood is always high, so we prioritise availability for local communities and those who depend on firewood as their primary source for heating and cooking.

“It’s important Victorians plan their firewood needs early as it can take at least 8-12 months for firewood collected during the collection seasons to be dry enough to burn safely and effectively.”

- Grampians Region Deputy Chief Fire Officer Jason Hellyer
It’s illegal to collect wood outside designated areas or to chop down or damage any dead or standing trees. It’s also an offence to take vehicles off formed roads to collect or load.

“Most people do the right thing by sticking to the collection limits and following the rules,” he said.

The Conservation Regulator and Parks Victoria are targeting the illegal removal of firewood from Victoria’s forests, parks, and reserves through Taskforce Ironbark. Authorised Officers are patrolling public land and can issue fines of more than $750 to those caught breaking the rules, and serious offences have a maximum penalty of $9,879 and/or one year in prison.

Community members can help by reporting any suspected illegal firewood collection to 136 186.