The warning comes on the back of a Koyuga man being convicted in February this year for damages caused to the Kanyapella Wildlife Reserve in June 2019.
According to the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP), the man was prosecuted for damage, disruption or destruction to wildlife habitat.
He was also prosecuted for using a vehicle in an area of public land and tree felling without a licence or permit.
The man cut down red river gum trees in an area which is preserved for native wildlife.
DELWP said illegal tree felling had a significant impact on the environment and led to the loss of native wildlife habitats.
DELWP said the offences occurred on June 8 and 9 in 2019. The Koyuga man was fined $2000 and ordered to pay additional costs of $194.65.
To help target illegal tree felling, Conservation Regulator Authorised Officers, Forest Fire Management Victoria crews and Parks Victoria rangers have combined for Operation Hollows.
The ongoing operation also targets people selling large quantities of illegal firewood.
Those purchasing firewood can help preserve habitat and heritage by ensuring they buy from reputable sources.
“It’s important to remember that cutting trees for firewood is habitat destruction,” Parks Victoria enforcement and regulatory services senior manager Ron Waters said.
“Anyone illegally taking firewood is taking a home away from one of our threatened native wildlife species.
“Do the right thing - source your firewood legally and help our native species survive.”
Acting regulatory operations conservation regulator director Greg Chant said community assistance in catching the culprits was always welcomed.
He said people could report any suspicious behaviour by calling 136 186.
The maximum penalty for people caught illegally destroying habitat trees is $8261 plus potential seizure of equipment, including vehicles and chainsaws and/or one year in prison.
From March to November 2020, 183 people were fined a total of $98,801 for illegally removing wood from widespread areas across the state.
Rangers and officers are patrolling public land across the state, enforcing the law and educating people about firewood collection rules.
For details of where, when and what firewood can be collected, visit ffm.vic.gov/firewood and vic.gov.au/collecting-firewood.
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