With the cooler weather upon us, many people are thinking of their winter heating needs. People can gather firewood from State forests, but Forests of NSW is reminding people that a permit is required.

Forests NSW will be issuing firewood collection permits from Wednesday 26 March.

"We are happy for people with permits to collect firewood for their own personal use but we will not tolerate people either not having permits or using the permits to illegally collect wood to on-sell," Forests NSW Operation and Protection manager Russell Cowgill said.

He said one problem with people illegally cutting and removing wood from the forests was that they may be doing so in sensitive areas, disturbing native vegetation and destroying habitats.

"Permit allocation allows us to suggest the best sites for collecting firewood in the forest and helps prevent any unnecessary damage being done to the environment," Mr Cowgill said.

Permit holders are permitted to collect only dead wood from the forest floor. No standing timber, dead or alive, can be cut.

Firewood collection permits can be purchased from Forests NSW Macquarie Regional office, corner of Browning and Williams Streets, Bathurst, between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm on business days.

The cost of the permit is $25 for one tonne or $15 for pensioners. There is a limit of six tonnes a year.

To give people a rough estimate of quantities - one vehicle boot load equates to about a quarter of a tonne; and a utility load or one ordinary box trailer equate to about half a tonne of wood.

In the high use areas, Newnes and Ben Bullen State Forests, the permit is limited to a single day of firewood collection in order to protect the resource.

Applicants in the Lithgow area may obtain permits by ringing Forests NSW Dubbo office on (02) 6841 4288. The Dubbo Office then completes the form and faxes it to the Department of Primary Industries office in Lithgow where it can be collected.

The DPI is located at 184 Mort Street, Suite 1 First Floor Hartley Building, on the corner of Mort and Esbank Streets.

Applicants must take the exact money to the DPI as they do not give change. Permits can only be picked up between 2 pm and 4 pm Monday to Friday.

Applicants for a firewood permit will also be asked to complete a form in relation to chainsaw competency.

People using a chainsaw must be competent in its use and wear protective boots. Forests NSW also recommends that people wear a safety helmet, hearing protection, cut-resistant leg protection trousers or chaps and have access to an approved first aid kit.

Chainsaws must be fitted with a chain brake and anti-vibration mounts and be properly maintained.

Firewood cutters must carry their permits with them when they are in the forest so that they can be presented to the rangers patrolling the forests.

Media contact: Sarah Chester (02) 6036 2110 or 0417 207 669