Many families in Western Australia turn to the fireplace for comfort in winter but they could soon be forced to look elsewhere to heat their homes, according to businesses that supply firewood.

The state government last year announced a native logging ban for forests in WA's south-west, in the hopes of saving 400,000 hectares of karri, jarrah and wandoo trees.

From 2024, timber from native forests will only be cut down for environmental management and clearing for mining operations, in a move that has rocked the industry.

'There's no way we can keep it afloat'

Greg Stephen and his wife Jo run Lloyds Earth Moving and Garden Supplies in Northam.

Mr Stephen said 70 per cent of their business involved supplying firewood to 10,000 homes across the state.

Mr Stephen says stocks had already plummeted, despite the ban not coming into effect until 2024.

"The simple reason is all the processors are going, 'Why should we maintain our gear if we're not going to have a job to come to in two years' time?'."

He said the company usually sold 1,500 tonnes of wood a year to homes in and around Northam, as well as businesses in Perth and the Midwest.

Mr Stephen has already had to let go of staff due to the impacts of the upcoming ban.

Supply not being impacted, says Forestry Commission

The Forest Products Commission (FPC) is the state government body in charge of managing the industry and the contracts of firewood suppliers.

In a statement, FPC's director of business Andrew Lyon said the decision to end native logging had not reduced supplies.

"Most firewood needs to be dried for a year before being sold," he said. 

"Therefore, the firewood available for sale today was delivered last year. [We] delivered 20 per cent more firewood in 2021 compared to 2018.

"While demand may have increased, the decision to end logging … has not affected the level of production.

"The government will ensure a just transition for workers, businesses and communities transitioning out of the industry through an $80 million Just Transition Plan."

Opposition forestry spokesman Steve Martin said he did not believe it would be enough.

"Clearly it will impact on the price of firewood … there's a demand for firewood right across WA and suppliers are really scratching to get hold of timber."

Concerns for consumers

Mr Stephen said he was not consulted before the ban and was worried about the future for his customers.

"I don't buy the science … we sell a sustainable product. For every tree cut down, two are replanted," he said.

"I really don't know where people are going to go in the future because there will be no firewood."

"There's going to be a lot of people going cold next winter."