As there is a limited firewood supply closer to the metropolitan area, permission to collect firewood in the Perth Hills differs from other DBCA regions.

You need to have a permit to collect firewood in the Perth Hills. The permit is valid for one visit only.

Summer season - 1 November to 30 April ($11.00)
Winter season - 1 May to 31 October ($22.00)

You can purchase your permit online at WA Naturally, DBCA offices in Dwellingup, Mundaring, Wanneroo and Mandurah and any of the outlets listed in the download section below.

For a list of firewood collection areas and relevant maps, please visit our firewood collection area page.

If the designated firewood collection area falls within a Phytophthora dieback Disease Risk Area (DRA), follow permit conditions and avoid wet soil that sticks to tyres, equipment and footwear.

You do not need a permit to collect firewood in the South West. However, collecting firewood is only permitted in designated areas.

If the designated firewood collection area falls within a Phytophthora dieback Disease Risk Area (DRA), an approval to enter the DRA will be required. A DRA will be identified on your firewood collection area map. Your local DBCA office will be able to issue approval to enter a DRA. You need to comply with conditions of the approval permit.

For a list of firewood collection areas and relevant maps, please visit our firewood collection area page.

Information on where to purchase firewood sourced from sustainably managed, approved forest thinning or other operations is on the Forest Products Commission website.

Firewood can also be purchased from an authorised person or business. To ensure you are buying legally sourced firewood, you should ask to see their licence or other authorisation, verifying the firewood has been lawfully sourced. 

To help protect our environment, please report suspicious firewood activity to the Wildcare Helpline on 9474 9055. Information is treated confidentially, and you may remain anonymous.

Information on how to become an authorised contractor or supplier of timber including firewood can be found on the Tenders WA website.

To sell firewood taken from private property, the seller must have a licence issued by DBCA. They must demonstrate that the wood will be sourced lawfully, for example under a clearing permit or native vegetation clearing exemption, with written permission from the landowner.  

If you wish to apply for a licence to supply flora as firewood lawfully taken from private or public land, please visit dbca.wa.gov.au/licences-and-permits/flora and look for Regulation 63.

*You are required to provide evidence of lawful clearing as part of this application.

To help protect our environment, please report suspicious firewood activity to the Wildcare Helpline on 9474 9055. Information is treated confidentially, and you may remain anonymous.

To protect our forests, the continued availability of firewood and to ensure your safety, please follow the advice below:

• Phytophthora dieback is a serious environmental threat, and large areas of State forest are set aside as a Disease 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; if it is raining wait for a dry spell to collect firewood, avoid puddles and stay on existing tracks and roads. Driving off-road disturbs vegetation and causes soil movement, which can spread dieback.
• 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. View a map of Western Shield 1080 baiting sites.
• 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.

Firewood - buy it where you burn it

Polyphagous shot hole borer (PSHB) is a serious environmental threat and a target of an eradication response being led by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD). PSHB can travel long distances when people move firewood.

A PSHB Quarantine Area is in place – firewood cannot be removed from this area. Find out more at agric.wa.gov.au/borer

You can help protect our natural resources and urban trees by doing the following:

• Don't move firewood long distances including when you go camping - buy it where you burn it.
• Don't burn wood from host trees, especially if it looks like it has borer damage. PSHB beetles disperse when infested wood is burnt.
• Encourage family and friends not to move firewood.
• Report suspected borer damage.
   

How much firewood can I take?

• There is a limit to how much firewood can be removed, and when this can occur. Between 1 June to 30 September, a maximum of one tonne may be removed every 60 days. Between 1 October to 31 May, a maximum of one tonne can only be removed on any one occasion.

How do I know how much 1 tonne is?

• As a guide, half a tonne equates to approximately a 6x4 trailer loaded 30cm deep.

Why can’t I collect firewood from outside of firewood collection areas?

• Taking firewood from national parks, nature reserves and conservation parks is illegal. Fallen tree limbs and other flora that has died naturally plays an important role in the ecosystem by providing habitat, nutrients and food for a variety of wildlife.

Why can’t I chop down trees to use for firewood?

• Felling or removing live or dead standing trees or tree branches from public land is illegal. It can cause significant environmental damage and removes important habitat for native animals. 

Can I sell firewood from my property?

• A licence is required to supply (including sell) flora as firewood that has been lawfully taken from your private property. If you wish to apply for a licence to supply flora as firewood lawfully taken from private or public land, please visit dbca.wa.gov.au/licences-and-permits/flora and look for Regulation 63.

I live in a region where there are no firewood collection areas. What can I do?

• There is limited firewood supply outside of the Perth Hills and South West Regions. Information on where to purchase firewood sourced from sustainably managed, approved forest thinning or other operations is on the Forest Products Commission website .  For more information, call your local DBCA office for specific advice.

How do I know if someone is licensed to sell firewood?

• To ensure you are buying legally sourced firewood, you should ask the person selling firewood to show you their licence or other authorisation. They should be able to provide you with details of where the firewood is from, verifying the firewood has been lawfully sourced. A list of authorised firewood suppliers is available on the Forest Products Commission website.

What are the penalties associated with illegal taking or sale of firewood?

• Unlawful taking or sale of firewood may result in enforcement actions by DBCA including penalties up to $2,500. Any person or company convicted, faces penalties ranging from $50,000 to $250,000 and up to 12 months imprisonment.

How can I report suspicious activity?

• To help protect our environment, please report suspicious firewood activity to the Wildcare Helpline on 9474 9055. Information is treated confidentially, and you may remain anonymous.