Forest Fire Management Victoria Acting Fire Control Officer Peter Kambouris said from July 1 all designated firewood collection area will be closed during the winter period. 

“It will be illegal for people to collect firewood on public land until the start of the spring firewood collection season,” he said. 

“Firewood collection may already have ceased in some parts of the state where supplies are exhausted or where rainfall or flooding has affected track conditions making collection unsafe. 

“The public will be able to start collecting firewood again from designated firewood collection areas from September 1, pending suitable conditions.”

Firewood collected at designated sites is for personal use only and cannot be sold.

Forest Fire Management Victoria staff will be patrolling parks, forests and reserves to ensure people are doing the right thing.

People not doing the right thing can be fined on the spot around $622 and for offences that go to court, a person may be liable for fines up to $7773, one-year imprisonment, or both.