The 28-year-old man was found by Parks Victoria rangers cutting the firewood outside of a designated firewood collection area.

Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning district forest and operations manager Tim Wishart said the man received an on the spot fine. The wood was seized.

Mr Wishart said DELWP and Parks Victoria staff took a zero tolerance approach to those breaching firewood collection laws.

“People who cut down trees, collect firewood outside of designated firewood collection areas or a firewood collection season, take more than the maximum allowable amounts or sell firewood they have collected will be punished," he said.

Firewood must only be collected in a designated firewood collection area during firewood season.

Only fallen trees may be used and collectors must not take more than 2 cubic metres per day and no more than 16 cubic metres per household per financial year. 

Maximum penalties for more serious offences are fines of up to $7380 or one year imprisonment or both.