General News
28 February, 2025
Collection opens tomorrow
Victorians will be able to collect free firewood for personal use from designated state forest firewood collection areas from tomorrow, Saturday, March 1.
The autumn firewood season ends on June 30, 2025, 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 Loddon Mallee, Scott Falconer, urged collectors to play it safe and check local weather conditions as well as their planned route before heading into the forest.
“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,” he said.
Mr Falconer 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. He encouraged people who rely on firewood for heating and cooking to plan for their needs early.
“Firewood needs at least eight to 12 months to cure and must be dry before use. We prioritise firewood availability for local communities and those who depend on firewood as their primary source of heating and cooking,” he said.
“This autumn, there is a reduced supply of domestic firewood available and fewer firewood collection areas will open.”
To prioritise local communities’ access to available firewood, collection from designated firewood areas in state forests in central and northern Victoria will be limited to residents of specific local shires.
Find your local collection area and information about collecting fire-wood here: www.ffm.vic.gov.au/
firewood/firewood-collection-in-your-region. Maps will be live from midnight, Saturday, March 1.
An interactive map includes details about vehicle access, while pdf maps include safety and other practical information.
This autumn there are 15 firewood collection areas opening across Loddon Mallee, with more planned for later in the season.
Residents from outside specified local government areas cannot collect firewood from designated firewood collection areas in state forests in central Victoria.
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.
“Most people do the right thing and stick to the collection limits, but people should know authorised officers will be patrolling to catch those who aren’t,” Mr Falconer said.
Authorised Officers can issue fines of more than $769 to those caught breaking the firewood collection rules. More serious offending can result in maximum penalties of $9879 and/or 12 months in prison. Authorised Officers can also seize chainsaws, trailers, vehicles, and equipment that’s used in the commission of offending.
Community members can find out more about collecting firewood and report any suspected illegal firewood collection by calling 136 186.