Mid North Coast residents are being invited to collect free firewood and learn valuable chainsaw safety skills at a two-day event in Kiwarrak State Forest near Old Bar.

Forestry Corporation staff will combine their annual chainsaw refresher training with a community event on Thursday, July 30 and Friday, July 31 designed to help locals prepare for the colder months.  

Firewood made available to the public has been sourced from timber left following a sustainable plantation thinning operation in Kiwarrak State Forest.

The plantation was heavily impacted by the 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires and the thinning operation has removed dead and fire damaged trees, improving forest health, reducing fuel loads and maintaining safe access for recreational users.

Forestry Corporation staff will be undertaking chainsaw training on the site and members of the public are welcome to cut and collect a ute or trailer load of firewood free of charge and Forestry staff will be on hand to help pensioners, who need assistance loading firewood.

During the event, Forestry Corporation staff will provide practical demonstrations on chainsaw maintenance, sharpening techniques, personal protective equipment and safe operating practices while answering questions from the public about working safely with chainsaws.

Forestry Corporation Production Manager Andrew Goodman said the event was an opportunity to support the community while ensuring staff maintained important chainsaw safety skills.

"This event allows our staff to complete important chainsaw refresher training while providing something meaningful back to the community by offering chainsaw operating advice and making firewood available to those who need it," Mr Goodman said.

"We know many pensioners and families rely on firewood to keep warm through winter and rising living costs can make that increasingly challenging. Much of the timber available is dry and ready to burn and we're particularly keen to assist pensioners in the local community who cannot collect firewood on their own from State forests.”

The plantation management work also mitigates bushfire risk to the community of Old Bar.

"By removing dead and damaged trees and reducing fuel loads, we're helping create a safer forest environment while improving access for the community and supporting ongoing forest health,” Mr Goodman said.  

"State forests are managed to provide a range of benefits for local communities, from renewable timber and recreation opportunities through to affordable firewood and bushfire risk reduction.

"We encourage anyone who uses a chainsaw, collects firewood or simply wants to learn more about sustainable forestry to come along, meet our team, take advantage of the safety information and take home some firewood."

Visitors will also be able to learn about Forestry Corporation's low-cost firewood permit system and how state forests are sustainably managed to provide renewable timber products while protecting environmental values.

Event details: 
Community Firewood and Chainsaw Safety Days – Old Bar  
Thursday 30 July and Friday 31 July from 8am to 3pm daily. 
Kiwarrak State Forest, 201-225 Saltwater Road, approximately 500 metres past Forest Lane. https://maps.app.goo.gl/8TdbprayZgA6NEa28?g_st=i&utm_campaign=ac-im

For more information about Forestry Corporation visit www.forestrycorporation.com