Firewood Collection Advice

Published on Monday, 8 July 2024 at 10:00:00 AM

This advice comes from the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA).

Firewood Collection Locations

You don’t need a permit to collect firewood in the southwest, however you can only do this in designated areas. Here’s what you need to know:

  • Firewood can only be collected for personal use.
  • You may only collect firewood from areas shown on the maps provided by the Departments of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) on their website. Taking firewood from national parks, nature reserves, and conservation parks is not allowed.
  • Only take fallen timber - you cannot cut down any standing tree, regardless if it’s dead or alive, or cut/break off any part of a standing tree for firewood. Felling trees can damage nearby vegetation.
  • There is a limit to how much firewood can be removed, and when this can occur.
  • Chainsaws must not be used on days of a Total Fire Ban, or days rated Extreme or Catastrophic. You can check what the Fire Danger Rating is on the EmergencyWA website below.
  • Firewood collection areas have been selected to provide access to a good supply of the resource, however it is not possible to guarantee the quality or quantity of firewood available.
  • No permit is required unless you are collecting within a Disease Risk Area (DRA). Contact your local DBCA office for information about a DRA permit, or visit the page linked below.
    • Please contact the Blackwood District Office on (08) 9752 5555, or visit 14 Queen Street, Busselton (6280).

 

Protect Yourself and the Environment when collecting wood for personal use

To protect our forests, the continued availability of firewood, and to ensure your safety, there are some must-dos when collecting firewood.

  • Phytophthora dieback is a serious environmental threat, and large areas of State forest are set aside as a Dieback Risk Area (DRA). While firewood collection may be permitted in a DRA, permission to enter a DRA is required. Your local DBCA office can help with the process to enter a DRA.
  • To help prevent the spread of Phytophthora dieback, wait for a dry spell to collect firewood. If it's raining, avoid puddles and stay on existing tracks and roads. Driving off-road disturbs vegetation and causes soil movement.
  • Avoid environmentally sensitive areas, such as stream and river reserves, granite outcrops and old-growth forest.
  • Do not cut logs marked with an H (usually marked with white spray paint). These logs are important habitat for our native animals.
  • Do not dispose of or dump garden refuse and litter or other rubbish in the forest. This is illegal and introduces weeds and diseases.
  • As DBCA has ongoing pest animal control across forest areas, pets should not be taken into State forest. Pest animal control will often involve baiting with 1080, a toxin hazardous to domestic animals but not native animals. Areas subject to baiting are signposted - you can view a map via the link below.
  • When collecting firewood remember your safety is important. Please take care and get everyone home safely - wear appropriate safety gear and use any equipment, such as axes, chainsaws and wheelbarrows, as directed by the manufacturer. Avoid working alone and keep on-hand an up-to-date first aid kit. Be aware of any planned burns or fire bans. 

 

About the Purchase & Supply of Firewood

Commercial Firewood Operations are managed through contracts administered by the Forest Products Commission.  Information on where to purchase firewood sourced from sustainably managed, approved forest harvest operations and approved local firewood suppliers is on the Forest Products Commission website - see the Find a Supplier page linked below.

A licence is required to supply (including sell) flora as firewood that has been lawfully taken from your private property. For more information on Flora Licences, please see the information provided on the DBCA website linked below. 

 

Websites & Resources:

View the Firewood Collection Areas

EmergencyWA

Find a Supplier

About Flora Licences

About Phytophthora Dieback

About Dieback Risk Areas (DRA)

Western Shield 1080 Baiting Sites

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