Air-Quality Agency Enters the Debate Over Fire Rings

The conflict over the future of the fire rings in Newport Beach continued late last week when an air-quality agency proposing a ban on all fire rings on beaches in Orange and Los Angeles counties, the Los Angeles Times reported.  

Newport Beach officials requested permission from the California Coastal Commission to remove the fire rings after homeowners near the beach complained of smoke from the fires. Commission staff reported that removing the fire rings would deny public access to a beach pastime that has lasted generations.

On Friday, the South Coast Air Quality Management District said clearing all beaches of fire rings in the two coastal counties in its jurisdiction would “create a healthier experience for those who go to the beach.”

The district will hold a public meeting about the proposal on March 28 at 9 a.m. in its headquarters in Diamond Bar.

Read a full report by the Los Angeles Times on the beach-ring issue.