As of January 1st, 2024, logging of native jarrah and karri trees has stopped. This ban protects these precious forests and the wildlife that call them home.
Now, you might be wondering if this affects your cosy nights by the fireplace. The good news is, firewood supplies are expected to continue! While jarrah and karri availability might change, you’ll likely see more mixed-species firewood offered by woodfire merchants in the southwest.
Here at Hearth House, we fully support the logging ban. It’s a big step towards a sustainable future for our environment. Just ensure you are obtaining wood in one of the two ways below.
Purchasing Firewood
The Forest Products Commission (FPC) offers sustainably managed timber to a diverse range of customers. Their wood products are available for purchase directly from local sawmills, timber suppliers, hardware stores, and retailers. However, it is important to note that not every product available from these suppliers is guaranteed to have been sourced from the FPC.
You can find a list of suppliers here.
Collecting Firewood
Collecting firewood for personal use is allowed in certain designated areas of Western Australia. Here’s a summary of what you need to know:
- Where can I collect firewood? Firewood cannot be collected from national parks, nature reserves and conservation parks. However, there are designated State Forests and Crown Land areas where collection is permitted. You can find the designated areas here.
- How much firewood can I collect? It depends on the time of year. From June 1st to September 30th, you can take away up to one tonne every 60 days. From October 1st to May 31st, you can only take one tonne at a time. To help you picture it, half a tonne is about the same as filling a 6 x 4 trailer to a depth of 30cm.
- What type of firewood can I collect? Only fallen timber can be collected for firewood. You cannot cut down trees or damage vegetation while collecting firewood.
- Safety precautions: Fire dangers and restrictions change throughout the year, so it’s important to be aware of them before collecting firewood. Be sure to check the fire danger rating in your area and follow any fire restrictions that may be in place.
And guess what? Wood fires are an ecologically sustainable heating option! By using sustainably sourced firewood, we can all do our part to conserve our beautiful forests. Let’s keep those fires burning bright, and responsibly!
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