Residents of the Western Plains have been issued a stern warning to play by the rules when it comes to keeping fires burning this winter, and avoiding the illegal collection of firewood. 

The collection of firewood in national parks, state conservation areas and nature reserves across the state is illegal. 

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Castlereagh Area Manager John Whittal said that it isn’t just for the sake of preserving trees, but because the removal of trees damages and eliminates important habitat for local species. 



“Collecting firewood, including dead wood and fallen trees is not permitted in national parks,” Mr Whittal said. 

“It is important that residents around areas like Coonabarabran and Baradine are aware of why it is illegal, and also the heavy fines that apply.”  

While permits can be gained to legally collect firewood in selected parks, the areas available in Western NSW are limited, with a small section of the Pilliga Forest the only legal section for hundreds of kilometres.

While fines of up to $1000 are common, fines as large as $30,000 have been documented for people caught illegally collecting wood. 

“Dead hollow-bearing trees and woody debris provide habitat for many endangered native animals including barking owls and glossy black cockatoos which live in this area,” Mr Whittall said. 

“Illegally cutting down dead trees and removing this fallen timber for firewood destroys critical habitat that these animals depend on for survival,” he said. 

NPWS uses surveillance cameras in parks to detect the illegal activities, and has the authority to issue on-the-spot fines.