Barmah residents are waiting on an announcement about how they can retrieve firewood from the Barmah National Park.
More than 100 piles of fallen timber have been created in the park by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action in consultation with Parks Victoria.
DEECA has agreed that some of the wood will be made available to the public, following pressure from district residents who have been unable to access firewood in the immediate vicinity, and who pointed to the huge piles of wood which was going to be burned.
Firewood collection is usually prohibited in national parks.
DEECA said the the flood-affected wood is being assessed and will be used for habitat and environmental projects within the park.
DEECA said works to clear debris from the 2022 flood event within strategic fuel breaks in the Barmah National Park was being undertaken ahead of the fire season.
“Further information about firewood collection will be made available to the community once the works are completed,” DEECA has told Country News.
Victorian residents will have to wait until September 1 to find out where the designated firewood collection areas in state forests are.
Shepparton News assistant editor and Country News journalist