Acting Fire Control Officer of Forest Fire Management Victoria, Peter Kambouris, said all designated firewood collection areas would close during winter.

“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,” Mr Kambouris said.

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

“The public will be able to start collecting firewood again from designated firewood collection areas from 1 September 2018, pending suitable conditions,” he said.

FFMV will be patrolling parks, forests and reserves to ensure people are doing the right thing. 

Firewood collection is only permitted from designated collection areas during designated times of year, for personal use only.

On the spot fines are $622 and for offences that go to court, a person may be liable for fines up to $7773.