With one spark the Christmas tree went from enduring symbol of the season to potentially lethal fireball in less than eight seconds. Black smoke billowed through the room and gift-wrapped Christmas presents under the tree also burst into flames. Officials said that in the worst cases the extreme heat from the tree creates a “flash-over” that ignites everything in the room and kills anybody caught nearby.
More than 20 deaths occur nationwide each year due to Christmas tree fires, said Rosario Marin, secretary of the State and Consumer Services Agency. “A dry Christmas tree is the same as dry brush,” Marin added. “Don’t buy a tree that is dropping needles. Water them immediately and check them every day. A six-foot tree needs a gallon of water every two days.” Captain Jim Doucette, spokesman for the Sacramento Fire Department, demonstrated the simple tap test for dry trees.
Tap the base on the ground a couple of times. If a shower needles falls at your feet, forget about that tree, Doucette said. He also showed off a well watered tree that still had lots of spring in its branches and plenty of fragrance. After two dry trees were touched off, the firefighters tried to light the well-watered tree and they were much less successful. Residents can tell pretty quickly if their tree is getting too dry, said Capt.
Jeff Lynch, spokesman for the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District. It is supposed to be thirsty and level of the water its base is sitting in should drop on a regular basis. “If you notice that it is not consuming water anymore, get rid of it,” Lynch said. Many families buy their tree just a few days after Thanksgiving and leave it up through the New Year - way too long for most cut trees. “Last year we had a home in Rancho Cordova destroyed by a tree fire on Dec. 26,” Lynch said.