Is Your Firewood Legal? Destructive Thieves Are Ruining Our Forests

It is reported that around 60 trees, equivalent to 70 cubic metres of firewood, have been cut down in the Eastern Otway Forest Park in recent weeks, as thieves target dead trees.

The firewood is then sold for about $140 per cubic meter.

Last year, timber thieves damaged or destroyed more than 9,200 native trees, covering an area of ​​approximately 462 hectares.

Most of the wood was then sold by illegal timber traders to unsuspecting customers.

Many of the trees affected by the clear-cutting are large, old and slow-growing species that are unlikely to recover in this generation.

Mark Breguet, senior enforcement manager at Parks Victoria, said illegal firewood theft has a devastating impact on local parks, forests and wildlife.

Some of Victoria’s most threatened species, including the red-tailed black cockatoo and the brush-tailed phascogale, have been left homeless by theft, living in the hollows of both standing and fallen trees.

“Last year alone, nearly 10,000 trees were destroyed. The impact is far-reaching, threatening the survival of native species and damaging irreplaceable Aboriginal cultural sites,” Breguet said.

The Conservation Regulator and Parks Victoria have established Taskforce Ironbark to tackle illegal commercial firewood taking on public land.

As the cost of living continues to rise, so does the demand for cheap firewood.

Consumers who purchase wood from online marketplaces or roadside stalls may inadvertently support those who illegally cut down trees.

Brady Childs, Taskforce Ironbark manager, said the “rapid increase” in firewood damage is leaving native birds, reptiles and small animals without habitat.

“We have established Taskforce Ironbark to thwart illegal commercial firewood operators and remind all Victorians of the important role they play in conserving our forests and parks, protecting wildlife habitats and reducing the harm associated with firewood theft.”

People caught illegally felling trees in Victoria can be fined more than $9,000 or jailed for 12 months for each charge.

Residents are urged to report theft of firewood or suspicious sellers by calling 136 186.