As many people around the Triad get ready to throw away their Christmas Tree, the Winston-Salem Fire Department wants to remind folks about why they should do so sooner rather than later. The fire department said that a dried out tree can become engulfed in flames in a matter of seconds. The Winston-Salem Fire Department said nearly one-third of U.S. house fires that begin with Christmas trees occur in January which is why they are asking people to act now. “The longer that you leave up a natural tree after Christmas, the more likely it is to dry out and ignite,” said Theresa Knops the Senior Community Educator for the Winston-Salem Fire Department.Knops said about 22% of the fires that begin with Christmas trees occur because of a portable heater that is too close to a tree. “Please remember to keep your portable heater or space heater three feet from your Christmas tree,” she said. Knops also said, never burn your tree in a fireplace or wood stove. “Pines furs and other evergreens have a high content of flammable turpentine oils,” she said. Knops said You should also see if your city or county is offering a Christmas Tree Collection Program. Here in Winston-Salem and in Forsyth County, there are several different places where people can safely get rid of their trees. In a press release, the city of Winston-Salem said in part, "People who live in apartments, who live outside the city limits or who want to dispose of their trees quickly can take them to the following locations for recycling through Jan. 31:Crawford Park, 4226 Oak Ridge Drive Hanes Hosiery Recreation Center, 501 Reynolds Blvd. Hanes Park (tennis court parking lot), 625 West End Blvd. Little Creek Recreation Center, 610 Foxcroft Drive Old Town Recreation Center (tennis court parking lot), 4550 Shattalon Drive Parkland Park (tennis courts), 1660 Brewer Road Polo Park (swimming pool parking lot), 1850 Polo Road Salem Lake (at the gate), 1001 Salem Lake Road Sprague Street Recreation Center, 1350 E. Sprague St. Winston Lake Park, 3535 Winston Lake Road In addition, city and county residents may drop off one Christmas tree free of charge through Jan. 15 at these yard waste facilities operated by Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utilities: · Overdale Yard Waste Facility, 4010 Milwaukee Lane.· Forum 52 Yard Waste Facility, 180 Northstar Drive, Rural Hall."