Parks Victoria is reminding people gathering firewood to ensure they only collect from legal collection areas in the open season or risk fines and prosecution.
The call follows two recent cases of illegal take of firewood in the east of the state detected by Parks Victoria Authorised Officers.
In the first case, a Clydebank man found in August 2021 in the Clydebank Morass Wildlife Reserve was issued two Infringement Notices and fined $1272 under the Wildlife (State Game Reserve) Regulations and the Wildlife Act.
In the second matter, a Rosedale man found in August 2021 in the Mullungdung Flora and Fauna Reserve was issued an Infringement Notice and fined $727 under the Crown Land (Reserves) Regulations.
Illegally removing firewood destroys the trees and hollows that are habitat for birds and reptiles as well as a range of native mammals, such as possums, gliders and bats.
Parks Victoria and the Conservation Regulator are conducting regular patrols in parks and forests as part of state-wide operations to address the destruction of wildlife habitat caused by illegal firewood collection in Victoria's forests, parks and reserves.
