Firewood collection season opens

THE period for collecting firewood from public land is now open. It runs from 1 March until 30 June.

There are limits on how much wood you can collect and where it can be taken from.

Grampians Region Assistant Chief Fire Officer for Forrest Fire Management, Tony English, said there was an online tool to with locations on where it was OK to gather firewood.

“Interactive maps showing where you can collect domestic firewood from will go live from March 1,” he said.

“Designated collection areas are put in place to protect sites of cultural and environmental significance.

“We’re reminding people to stay within collection limits, which are a maximum of two cubic metres per person per day and a maximum of 16 cubic metres per household per financial year.”

Mr English also said you can’t cut down trees for firewood.

“The felling of any trees for firewood is strictly prohibited. Authorised officers will be patrolling parks, forests and reserves to ensure people are doing the right thing while collecting their firewood.”

Sites where you can gather firewood include Linton nawnight-widwid State Forrest, Ross Creek State Forrest, public land at Lal Lal – Hughes, Creswick State Forrest and along Barkstead South Road.

For more information and exact collection sites visit ffm.vic.gov.au/firewood.