CHICAGO — Fire officials say you shouldn't wait too long to dispose of that Christmas tree. If it's dry enough, it can go up in flames in about 30 seconds.
A dry tree can burn faster than a newspaper, says the National Fire Protection Association. Between 2009 and 2013, firefighters across the country respond to about 200 fires a year started by natural Christmas trees.
Take a look:
Wondering how and where you can recycle your Christmas tree now that the holidays are over?
Not in the garbage, puh-leeze, the city says.
Your tree can be dropped off at 24 locations throughout the city through Jan. 16 for recycling. You can even get free mulch at a few spots starting Jan. 11.
Here's where to go:
• Bessemer Park, 8930 S. Muskegon Ave.*
• Clark Park, 3400 N. Rockwell St.
• Forestry Site, 900 E. 103rd St.
• Garfield Park, 100 N. Central Park Ave.
• Grant Park, 900 S. Columbus Drive
• Humboldt Park Boathouse, 1369 N. Sacramento Ave.
• Jackson Park, 6300 S. Cornell Ave.
• Kennedy Park, 2427 W. 113rd St.
• Kelvyn Park, 4438 W. Wrightwood Ave.
• Lake Meadows Park, 3117 S. Rhodes Ave.
• Lincoln Park, Cannon Drive at Fullerton Avenue*
• Margate Park, 4921 N. Marine Drive*
• Marquette Park, 6700 S. Kedzie Ave.
• McKinley Park, 2210 W. Pershing Road
• Mt. Greenwood Park, 3721 W. 111th St.*
• West Chatham Park, 8223 S. Princeton
• North Park Village, 5801 N. Pulaski Road*
• Norwood Park, 5801 N. Natoma Ave.
• Portage Park, 4100 N. Long Ave.
• Riis Park, 6201 W. Wrightwood Ave.
• Rowan Park, 11546 S. Ave. L
• Sheridan Park, 910 S. Aberdeen St.
• Warren Park, 6601 N. Western Ave.*
• Wentworth Park, 5701 S. Narragansett Ave.
* Mulch will be available for free on a limited basis Jan. 11-17 at select locations.
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