Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) Regional Manager Fire and Land Jon Rofe said no firewood would be allowed to be collected from today.

“From Tuesday, December 1, all designated firewood collection areas will be closed over the Summer period,” Mr Rofe said.

“It will be illegal for people to collect firewood on public land until the start of the Autumn Firewood Collection Season.

Mr Rofe said firewood collection had already ceased in many other regions.

“Firewood collection has already ceased in the Loddon Mallee region while supplies may also be exhausted in some designated firewood collection areas” Mr Rofe said.

He said firewood collection would possibly resume in early March next year, but that would depend entirely on conditions.

“The public will be able to start collecting firewood again from designated firewood collection areas from March 1, 2016, pending suitable conditions,” Mr Rofe said.

He said regular patrols would be taking place of known collection sites.

Mr Rofe said DELWP and Parks Victoria staff would be patrolling parks, forests and reserves to ensure people are doing the right thing.

Firewood collection is only permitted during designated times of the year and from designated firewood collection areas. Firewood collected at these sites is for personal use only and cannot be sold.

Typical on-the-spot fines are around $607 and for offences that go to court, a person may be liable for fines up to $7583.50, one year imprisonment or both.

Anyone who sees something suspicious should report it to the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning immediately by calling 136 186 and quoting Operation Trident.

Any member of the public requiring further information and updates on collection times, can visit http://www.delwp.vic.gov.au/parks-forests-and-crownland/firewood or call the department’s Customer Service Centre on 136 186.