Fronteras

Forest officials are encouraging Arizona residents to drive to the White Mountains for a Christmas tree.  The White Mountains is the the same area where the Wallow Fire burned more than five-hundred thousand acres this summer and now it's sprawling with trees for the holidays.

For 15 dollars you can pick your own Christmas tree, from a designated cutting-area, and chop it down yourself.  The permits went on sale in mid-October, but there’s more available for trees in the Kaibab and Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests.  Julia Faith Rivera is the Public Affairs Officer for the Apache- Sitgreaves National Forest.  She says despite the devastation caused by the fire six months ago, some areas are still healthy.  "We just believe that it’s a very, very important tradition.  And something that we want to share with the public.  And we really want them to come up to the white mountains and see the area and get their Christmas tree this year," said Rivera.

The Christmas permits can also be purchased at the Apache Sitgreaves National Forest office in Springerville and at the Mogollon Rim visitors Center located near highway 260.  That office will be open weekends leading up to Christmas.

For more information visit:

Christmas Tree Permit Information
http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/asnf/home/?cid=stelprdb5328565

AZ National Forest Christmas Tree Program Map
http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/asnf/passes-permits/forestproducts/?cid=stelprdb5334560