The Spring 2017 Firewood Collection Season opens across Victoria on Friday the 1st of September 2017.
Grampians Regional Manager Forest and Fire Operations Peter Kambouris said that it will again be legal to collect firewood from certain areas.
"We want to remind people that it will once again be legal to collect firewood from designated areas on public land across Victoria from the 1st of September 2017 until Thursday the 30th of November 2017," he said.
"Some designated firewood collection areas may not open at the beginning of the Spring 2017 Firewood Season for various reasons, including supply or accessibility due to wet conditions."
More information and updates will be available at https://www.ffm.vic.gov.au/firewood/firewoodcollection-in-your-region from the 1st of September.
"DELWP and Parks Victoria staff will be patrolling parks, forests and reserves to ensure people are doing the right thing," Mr Kambouris said.
"Firewood collection is only permitted on public land during designated times of the year and from designated firewood collection areas.
"It is illegal to sell firewood collected on public land without an appropriate permit or licence or to take more than the allowed amount."
Under the Forest Act 1958, people who collect firewood outside designated firewood collection areas or a firewood collection season or take more than the maximum allowable amounts can face fines of $634, or a maximum penalty of one year imprisonment or a fine of up to $7,928 or both, if the matter proceeded to Court.
Any information the community may have about the illegal removal of firewood for sale can be reported to DELWP on 136 186 and quote Operation Block Splitter.
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