Firewood collection areas will soon close, the Department of Environment and Primary Industries (DEPI) has warned. 

From next Tuesday, July 1, all designated firewood collection areas will be closed, meaning picking up timber from public land will be illegal until the start of the spring collection season on September 1. 

DEPI spokesman Rob Price said some areas may have closed early because of dwindling supply. 

“Anyone wanting to collect firewood before the end of the autumn firewood season should be aware that some designated firewood collection areas may already be closed because the supply in that area has already been exhausted,” Mr Price said.

Residents will be able to rekindle their firewood supplies once the winter period ends.

DEPI and Parks Victoria staff will be patrolling parks, forests and reserves throughout the winter months to ensure people are doing the right thing.

Anyone caught collecting firewood illegally during winter will risk a fine of $577.