Twin Falls Fire Department warn residents about hazards regarding Christmas trees

TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) —If you haven’t taken down your Christmas tree yet, the Twin Galls fire department says you should probably do it soon.

Dried Christmas trees are an increased fire hazard because they can go up in flames in about 30 seconds.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, more than a third of house fires in January involve Christmas trees.

Being aware of how to properly dispose the tree is also important.

“We don’t want to see people just leaving the trees outside or even taking into their bonfire pit and lighting them on fire, there is a good amount of fire and heat that comes off of those as well as ember cast. If you just light your tree on fire and your bonfire pit, it can send embers down the street, down the road, or crossing your neighbor’s yard and start a fire,” Gabriel Hammett, Fire Marshal of the Twin Falls Fire Department explained.

There are a variety of ways to dispose of your tree safely.

You can take your tree to the Hub Butte Transfer Station, if you are a resident of Twin Falls, PSI Environmental can also pick up your Christmas Tree.