TVF&R shows how quickly a Christmas tree can burn

PORTLAND Ore. (KPTV) – If you spent the holiday weekend putting up your Christmas tree, local firefighters want to make sure your display is as safe as possible.

Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue (TVF&R) demonstrated how quickly your tree can burn using a simple lighter: a minute and a half. This could spread even faster if surrounded by flammable materials such as curtains, sofas or carpets.

“I think you’ll be surprised at how quickly it’s going to rise,” Deputy Fire Marshal Stephanie McKee said before the demonstration. “It looks like we only have about two minutes to escape.”

According to McKee, fires are doubling in size every 30-60 seconds. It only took half a minute for the flames to reach the top of her tree; inside they would have reached the ceiling.

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According to TVF&R, tree fires cause about $12 million in damages nationwide each holiday and can be deadly. Within minutes, a tree fire could trigger a flashover.

“Flashover is essentially a fire of an entire room and contents,” McKee explained. “Even firefighters cannot survive in a flashover condition.”

The TVF&R teams say from experience: Once a tree fire starts burning indoors, there is no longer any way to put it out. One reason for this is how dry pine needles can get. That’s why it’s important to water the tree regularly and move it outside when the needles start to fall. Additionally, they recommend you check your lights and cords for fraying or damage and keep your tree at least six feet away from heat sources. A good alternative is an artificial tree, they add. Newer products would typically have a flame retardant coating.

When it’s finally time to dispose of your tree, TVFR recommends working with your recycling facility to determine the safest method.

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