Autumn Firewood Collection starts in Victoria on Sunday
The Autumn Firewood Collection Season for 2020 will start across Victoria on Sunday and closes on Tuesday, June 30.
Firewood collection in Victoria opens on Sunday.
Gippsland Forest Fire Management Victoria's (FFMVic) Deputy Chief Fire officer, Beth Roberts said FFMVic staff and partners had been working across the region to ensure firewood could be collected from designated areas on public land as legislated on March 1, 2020.
"Due to the recent bushfires in East Gippsland there will be some changes to the availability of firewood and we're working on a plan to make firewood available to the community in other areas," Dr Roberts said.
"Information and updates, including interactive maps showing designated collection areas, will be available on www.ffm.vic.gov.au/firewood from March 1, or call 136 186 to find out more.
"Firewood collection will open across sites in the Wellington Shire, Latrobe Valley and Baw Baw areas.
"Many of the firewood collection areas in East Gippsland that were open last spring are fire impacted and are not yet available for collection, as work continues to open roads and deal with any hazards in these areas.
"Areas unaffected by fire that are suitable for collection have been identified. More about these locations will be available by viewing the online maps on Saturday. We're also working to make further firewood available in other areas as soon as possible. We'll provide further information on these areas when it's available.
"We want to remind the public that firewood can only be taken from designated collection areas in State forests or parks during approved times and for personal use only and cannot be sold," Dr Roberts said.
"It's important that people only collect firewood from designated collection areas in State forests where collection is allowed. These designated collection areas are put in place to protect sites of cultural and environmental significance.
"It's important to stay within collection limits, which are in place to prevent households stockpiling large volumes of firewood from public land and denying others a supply. Collection limits include taking a maximum of two cubic metres per person per day and a maximum of 16 cubic metres per household per financial year. The felling of trees and cutting downed hollow logs for firewood is also prohibited."
"Authorised officers are patrolling parks, forests and reserves to ensure people are doing the right thing while collecting their firewood.
"We take a zero-tolerance approach to illegal firewood collection, given the negative impacts it has on forest health, wildlife habitat, public safety and the sustainability of firewood resources that local communities rely on," Chief Conservation Regulator Kate Gavens said.
"Most people follow the rules, however it's important for anyone collecting firewood on public land to be aware of where, when and what firewood can be collected to avoid significant penalties".
If there is a fire danger risk the firewood collection season may be shortened. Firewood collection areas near planned burns may close for public safety. It's important that to check where burns are happening as affected firewood collection areas may be closed at short notice. Go to www.ffm.vic.gov.au/firewood or call 136 186.
For any further information on firewood collection or to report illegal or suspicious behaviour in public land areas, please contact the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning on 136 186.