Many families prefer a live Christmas tree in their homes during the holidays, but the tree can become fuel for a fire if it is not properly watered.

If a tree is not watered while in the house, it can dry out, Walker County Fire Chief Randy Camp said. One sign a tree is too dry is that the needles are brown and begin falling off.

Once a dry tree ignites, the tree can be engulfed in flames in 11 seconds, Camp said.

“It’s awesome how quick one will go up,” Camp said. “It’s unbelievable.”

Camp said if a tree catches fire, residents should not try to extinguish the flames themselves. Tree fires are flash fires, which burn quickly and at high temperatures.

“The trees go up so quickly (that) the best thing you can do is get your family out of the house and call the fire department,” Camp said.

Camp said he recently viewed a video of a dry tree being ignited with frightening results.

“If everybody could see that, I don’t even think they would buy a live tree,” he said.

Camp said everyone should always have operating smoke detectors in their homes, and having the detectors is especially important as danger alarm if residents place a live tree in the house