Countywide : Firefighters Schedule Christmas Tree Bonfires

Beginning New Year’s Day, the Orange County Fire Department will help residents dispose of dangerous, dry Christmas trees by accepting them for massive bonfires in Cypress, San Juan Capistrano, Irvine, Mission Viejo and Yorba Linda.

Christmas tree fires are a hazard throughout the holiday season, Fire Department spokesman Pat Antrim said, with the possibility of even a “relatively fresh” tree fully igniting in less than a minute.

“We want to get the trees out of the house early and get them disposed of properly,” Antrim said. “We encourage the public to come and watch how explosive the trees can be.”

There will also be safety and equipment demonstrations at most of the burn sites. Officers in Irvine, for example, plan to set up a mock living room to show how quickly a tree can catch fire and set a house ablaze. “By having public displays, we are able to make it an educational program as well as one big bonfire,” Antrim said.

Residents must take their trees to the burn sites, but are asked not to drop them off before fire personnel will be available to accept them. Yorba Linda residents can have their trees picked up and taken to the burn site by Explorer Scouts from County Fire Station No. 10.

Below are burn locations, with dates of bonfires and days trees will be accepted. Trees will be burned at 7 p.m. at each site.

San Juan Capistrano, Jan. 3--Southern end of La Novia Avenue, south of Ortega Highway. Trees accepted beginning Jan. 1.

Cypress, Jan. 4--Northwest corner of Valley View and Katella boulevards. Trees accepted beginning Jan. 2.

Irvine, Jan. 7--Northwest corner of Alton Parkway at East Yale Loop. Trees accepted beginning Jan. 4.

Mission Viejo, Jan. 9--Youth Athletic Park on Olympiad Road. Trees accepted Jan. 8 and 9.

Yorba Linda, Jan. 9--Vacant lot on Valley View next to little league field. Trees accepted Jan. 8 and 9.