Community Corner

Newport May Not Yank All Fire Rings

Officials say the AQMD's ruling could produce a compromise that includes non-wood-burning rings, more spacing between rings and/or fewer rings.

Editor's Note: The following news release was issued by the city of Newport Beach on Friday, July 12, 2013.

Earlier today, the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) voted 7-6 to adopt specific amendments to its Rule 444 regarding Open Burning. The amendments mean that Rule 444 now limits some open burning from wood-fueled fire rings on beaches.

The decision does not mean that all or even most of Newport Beach’s fire rings will be removed.

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At a minimum, it does mean that some of the wood-fueled rings will have to be spaced at least 100 feet from each other and some may be removed as a result of the distancing requirement. The SCAQMD’s action today also set forth a Request for Proposals (RFP) process that the agency will sponsor to encourage the development of beach fire rings that use fuels other than wood. These may include (but not be limited to) natural gas or propane. Mayor Keith Curry has agreed to ask the Newport Beach City Council to consider participating in a pilot program with SCAQMD for alternatively-fueled rings.

Following the vote, Newport Beach Mayor pro Tem Rush Hill said, "What's important today is that AQMD has given the City Council tools to address the health issues related to wood smoke while finding ways to maintain a popular beach amenity."

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“This Rule’s adoption today is definitely a compromise. AQMD did not enact a regionwide ban today and its decision does not mean that Newport Beach will immediately remove all of its fire rings, or even most of them,” City Manager Dave Kiff said. “Instead, I believe it opens the door for us to pursue a local compromise within the community. That compromise effort will be led by the City Council. I don’t know yet, but it could result in less wood-fueled rings, a mixture of fuel sources, some additional spacing between the wood-fueled rings, or even no wood-fueled rings. My guess is that a year from now Newport's beaches will still have some fire rings. Some might be in different locations and some might have different fuel sources."  

In order to comply with the SCAQMD’s amended rule, Newport Beach has until March 1, 2014 to:

a) Space some or all of the existing sixty (60) wood-burning fire rings so that there is a minimum 100 feet between them (assuming their fuel source stays as wood); or

b) Keep all or many of the rings in their same locations, but identify and incorporate a fuel source other than wood (such as natural gas); or

c) Ask the City Council to determine the smoke from the wood-fueled rings creates a “public nuisance.” If so, the Council would hold a noticed public hearing and could direct that some or all of the wood-fueled rings be removed.

If the Council chooses the third option, under the AQMD rule, the City’s action would be exempted from review by the California Coastal Commission.

“This issue has been debated extensively in the community in recent weeks and months, and good people are on each side of the issue. I know that the Council will work closely with the community to determine the best way for Newport Beach to move forward. The next chapter is not yet written,” concluded Kiff.



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