Newport Beach City Council to Vote on Fire Rings

The concrete fire rings that sit on sections of Newport Beach may soon be a thing of the past.

On Tuesday the Newport Beach City Council will vote on whether to remove the 60 city-owned fire rings, which include 27 at Big Corona Beach and 33 near the Balboa Pier. According to the staff report, city staff is recommending the 60 fire rings be removed due to the concerns raised by residents which include health impacts to residents who live nearby and the threat beachgoers and residents are subjected to when hot ash from the fire rings is not doused.

Dozens of residents on both sides of the issue have voiced their opinions at city meetings, via email to city officials and on the Save the Big Corona Fire Pits! Facebook page. In February the city's Park, Beaches and Recreation Commission after several residents spoke against them.

In a recent email to the city, Resident Marena Larson asked for the fire rings to be removed.

"The fire rings are a fire hazard for those of us who live on Breakers Drive and nearby," Larson said in an email. "On several occasions we have had burning embers blow onto the deck of our home. Smoke blowing into our home has set off our smoke alarms.

But other residents, including Jamie Dow who has lived in the city for 30 years, says the fire rings should be allowed to stay on the beach.

"They are not dangerous as they're surrounded by two of the least flammable materials in the world, concrete and sand," Dow said. "They add character to the beach and they are not exspensive to maintain. As a beach community, we have much to gain from a tourist-friendly attitude."

Laura Detweiler, the city's recreation and senior services director, said the rings carry at least a 60-year history and are about 330 feet away from homes.

Do you think the fire rings should be removed? Tell us in the comments.