Firewood poachers and dodgy dealers are in the sights of authorities as Victorians start loading up their wood heaters this winter.
Parks Victoria and the Conservation Regulator say buyers should ask where their firewood is coming from, request tax receipts and question suppliers who undercut local prices.
Illegal firewood is often cut in state forest and national parks, and ends up on online forums to be sold cheaply to unsuspecting customers.
Chief Conservation Regulator Kate Gavens urged Victorians to ask sellers where their firewood came from.
“Firewood theft is a major issue in Victoria’s parks and forests, impacting the habitat of hundreds of native wildlife species, which is why the Conservation Regulator is committed to investigating and prosecuting those responsible,” Ms Gavens said in a statement.
Firewood sellers can only sell timber sourced legally from a wholesale supplier, commercial wood lot or from private land.
The autumn season is open to collect firewood for personal use from designated areas until June 30, with daily limits of two cubic metres per person and a maximum of 16 cubic metres per household each financial year.
Parks Victoria's enforcement operations manager Chris Mercier said his agency took illegal firewood removal very seriously, and would be patrolling and surveilling forests this winter.
“Please ask questions before you buy firewood and be aware of the damage illegal harvesting does to native plants and animals,” Mr Mercier said in a statement.
The former ranger said community information was key in the fight against illegal firewood removal.
“These are not isolated cases of individuals seeking to warm their homes - they are carefully planned illegal commercial operations that work hard to evade our surveillance and intelligence-gathering efforts,” Mr Mercier said.
Firewood poachers can expect on-the-spot fines of $740 or almost $10,000 if the matter goes to court, and could have their chainsaws, trailers and vehicles seized if caught.
Buyers can report suspicious firewood sellers or theft from public land by calling 136 186.
