Firewood collection: COVID-19 ups demand for fuel as State forests open for wood collection
An increased demand for wood during lockdown has authorities warning there might not be enough for everyone as the State opens its forests for firewood collection. Here’s what they suggest.
Outer East
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Firewood could be a hot commodity authorities are warning after coronavirus restrictions have smashed demand.
Victorians stuck at home in lockdown this winter have burnt through a lot more firewood to heat their homes than usual, and Forest Fire Management is expecting the demand for fuel during spring to exceed what is available to collect in the woods.
This comes as the firewood collection season has opened up across the state on September 1, until November 30.
Forest Fire Management Victoria Deputy Chief Fire Officer Shannon Devenish said she was anticipating an increased demand for firewood during the spring collection season.
“However, due to a range of impacts including the coronavirus pandemic and last summer’s bushfires, it’s likely that demand will exceed supply in some areas of the region,” Ms
Devenish said.
“More people working from home during winter has led to a significant increase in the amount of wood that has been burnt.
“As a result, we are urging people who rely on firewood for heating and cooking to consider all options, including purchasing firewood from local merchants selling legally obtained wood.”
But Ms Devenish warned the community all firewood collection activities must comply with the restrictions put in place by the Department of Health and Human Services.
“Designated firewood collection areas are selected based on the availability of firewood, community safety, and to protect sites of cultural and environmental significance,” she said.
“Collection limits include taking a maximum of two cubic metres per person per day and a maximum of 16 cubic metres per household per financial year.”
She said these limits were in place to prevent households stockpiling large amounts of firewood and denying others a supply.
“Hollow logs and dead trees provide critical habitat for a wide variety of native species,” Ms Devenish said.
“The felling of trees and cutting of hollow logs for firewood is prohibited.”
She said firewood collected from public land was for personal use only and could not be sold.
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