Domestic firewood in Victoria

For some households, particularly in areas without access to other energy sources, firewood is an essential source of heat and energy.

We continue to support these needs by providing free firewood for domestic use from designated collection areas across Victoria.

Where does firewood come from?

In state forests, fallen trees and debris from forest and fire management works and natural events can be made available for domestic firewood. The amount of firewood available can vary from season to season and from place to place.

State forests provide many benefits for the community. Firewood is one of the ways Victorians benefit from these forests. We manage firewood as part of a broader approach that balances community, environmental, cultural and economic values. This helps forest resources to be shared and used responsibly.

We carefully manage firewood collection to support community access while protecting forests, wildlife and future firewood supplies.

Firewood collection seasons

You can collect firewood from designated areas during 2 collection seasons each year:

• autumn, from 1 March to 30 June
• spring, from 1 September to 30 November.

Find out more: Find a firewood collection area.

Enjoying firewood collection responsibly

Firewood is a shared community resource. While it is free to collect, the supply is limited and can vary from year to year.

Making firewood available takes planning, monitoring and ongoing work. In some areas, demand can be higher than supply.

In some situations, Forest Fire Management Victoria may give priority access to:

• local residents
• Traditional Owners
• people who rely on firewood as an important source of energy.

If you cannot collect firewood yourself, you can nominate someone to collect it for you using a nomination form.

You can also buy firewood from retailers across Victoria.

Looking after our forests

Healthy forests provide many benefits for the community. They support native plants and animals, protect cultural heritage, provide places for recreation and support sustainable firewood collection.

We restrict firewood collection to specific firewood collection areas to help protect these values and limit risks to firewood collectors.

Collection areas are chosen based on:

• available firewood
• community safety
• protection of cultural heritage
• protection of important natural areas.

When everyone follows the rules, we can continue to provide access to firewood while caring for the forest.

Authorised officers help protect forests and wildlife by enforcing collection rules. For example, you must not remove logs that are hollow or covered with moss or fungi. These logs provide shelter for native animals and help keep forests healthy.

Large areas of public forest remain closed to firewood collection to protect important environmental and conservation values.

Careful planning and monitoring help keep forests healthy and productive. If firewood is removed faster than forests can recover, supplies become scarcer and forest health can decline.

Collection limits

Collection limits and rules around collection help make sure firewood is available for people who need it now and in the future.
Find out more: Collecting firewood.

Where firewood can be collected

Under the Forests Act 1958, we can make areas of state forest available for domestic firewood collection.

In some cases, we may also make areas of forest park or regional park available.

In special situations, firewood from public forests may be made available from depots or stockpiles on public land. This may happen after:

• major bushfires or storms
• major road works
• tree removal for public safety.

Firewood collection areas cannot be established in national parks or other areas protected under the National Parks Act 1975. Collection is also not allowed in most other parks and conservation reserves.

Working together

Looking after Victoria’s firewood resource is a shared responsibility.

Our role is to manage state forests, provide access to firewood and set the rules for collection. Your role is to collect firewood safely, follow the rules and respect the forest.

By working together, we can continue to maintain healthy forests.

Reporting illegal firewood collection

Illegal firewood collection is unfair on other community members and can damage forests.

If you suspect illegal firewood collection, report it to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.