AQMD Likens Beach Fires to Diesel Trucks

By: City News Service

Several Orange County mayors met Wednesday in Santa Ana to discuss beach fire pits and go over new data from the South Coast Air Quality Management District, which is considering a ban on fire rings throughout Southern California.

Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido organized the private meeting, which drew two of the mayors most prominent in the debate -- Newport Beach Mayor Keith Curry, who wants the fire pits banned in his city, and Huntington Beach Mayor Connie Boardman, who opposes a ban in her city.

Pulido serves on the AQMD board along with Orange County Board of Supervisors Chairman Shawn Nelson, who also attended the meeting.

Curry and Boardman, although on opposite sides of the move to ban fire pits, said they were united on one point: Cities should be allowed to decide the issue for themselves and the AQMD should not implement a regional ban.

The meeting was significant for Curry, who said, "This is the first time we've ever been able to see any scientific data. I commend the AQMD, who have laid out a fair assessment of the data."

Newport Beach officials asked the California Coastal Commission to allow the city to ban fire rings, but the commission deferred to the AQMD because it has the resources to scientifically analyze the health effects.

Newport Beach officials want to ban the fire pits because residents along the beachfront have complained about the health hazards.

"We have not asked the AQMD for anything," Curry said. "We didn't bring it to the AQMD, we're not asking them for them to make any findings."

The AQMD finding that jumped out for Curry on Wednesday was that one fire pit in one evening emits about as much pollution as a heavy-duty diesel truck driving 564 miles.

Curry noted the city was about to have its application rejected by the Coastal Commission because its claim of health hazards was not backed by scientific data.

"But now it's available," Curry said. "I commend the AQMD.

"The scientific analysis was very professional and its conclusions are very compelling," Curry said.

Boardman wants experts on her staff to go over the AQMD's data.

"The city wants a chance to look over the data and have it peer-reviewed by our experts," Boardman said.

Boardman noted the data indicates the city is below the level considered unhealthy for those who are vulnerable to smoke.

Boardman added she wants to seek solutions if it is demonstrated the fire pits present a health hazard.

"If there are health risks to our residents, there are a lot of solutions between nothing and banning the fire rings completely," Boardman said.

Nelson raised the possibility of replacing traditional wood-burning fire rings with propane-fueled flames. Curry and Boardman said they were concerned about propane tanks presenting new health risks to the environment.

Boardman said she would like to see a "pilot project" with propane to see if it could be workable.

The San Clemente City Council has approved a resolution opposing a ban on fire pits and Orange County supervisors passed a resolution opposing a regional ban on open fires at beaches and asking the AQMD to leave the issue up to municipal governments.

Curry and Boardman support the county's resolution.

"The mayor of Huntington Beach and I have gotten along very well from the beginning of this," Curry said. "We're both supporters of letting the cities do it for themselves. They have a different take than us and we support their ability to manage their city as they see fit."

Pulido will hold a meeting at Huntington Beach City Hall Friday night to solicit public comment on fire pits. It initially appeared the AQMD might decide the issue at a June 7 meeting, but that is likely to be rescheduled because Pulido and Nelson may be unavailable, Curry and Boardman said.

Boardman said Pulido told her the AQMD could have a special meeting later in June. If the AQMD ban is approved, it would affect beaches throughout Orange County and most coastal areas in Los Angeles County.

The Coastal Commission has a meeting scheduled in July in Ventura when commissioners may discuss the issue, Pulido said.