Victorians will be able to collect free firewood for personal use from designated state forest firewood collection areas from March 1.
This autumn, there are 19 firewood collection areas that will be available across the Port Phillip Region.
The autumn firewood season ends on June 30, but collectors are reminded individual collection areas may close earlier if there is no more firewood available.
Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) Director Forest and Fire Operations Port Phillip, Tamara Beckett, urged collectors to play it safe and check local weather conditions as well as their planned route before heading into the forest.
“With parts of the state affected by bushfires, access to some firewood collection areas might be restricted until conditions are safe.”
“When collecting, please drive only on formed roads, be aware of the environment around you and the safety of yourself and others as trees may fall or drop limbs without warning,” she said.
Ms Beckett said people can collect up to two cubic metres per person per day with a maximum of 16 cubic metres per household per financial year.
She encouraged people who rely on firewood for heating and cooking to plan for their needs early.
Within designated collection areas, collectors can collect and cut wood that is on the ground due to natural fall or forest and fire management works.
Heavy penalties apply to anyone who cuts down a tree, living or dead.
