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Politics & Government

Don't Ban Beach Fires, OC Supes Say

Orange County officials criticize a smog agency proposal to outlaw seaside bonfires, saying the matter should be left up to individual cities.

Banning beach bonfires is like outlawing mom and apple pie, Orange County supervisors said Tuesday.

On a 4-0 vote, the supervisors approved a resolution asking the South Coast Air Quality Management District to reject a proposed ban on open fires at beaches, saying such regulations should be left up to cities.

The supervisors became the latest government agency to weigh in on seaside bonfires.

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In Newport Beach, complaints from residents about smoke from local fire rings prompted city officials to support a fire ban. But costal business leaders and city councils in Huntington Beach and San Clemente want the AQMD to preserve the bonfire tradition.

The AQMD has scheduled a public hearing on the issue for May 3 and may vote on the ban June 7. If approved, the measure would affect beaches throughout Orange County and most coastal areas of Los Angeles County.

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On Tuesday, Supervisor Todd Spitzer urged his colleagues to support a resolution against any attempt to ban fires in approved rings or pits. (Supervisor Shawn Nelson abstained because he is an AQMD board member.)

"Outlawing fire rings is like [banning] mother and apple pie," Spitzer said. "First youth out, first kiss -- there are some things that are sacred about those fire rings."

Spitzer then guffawed, adding: "Did I just confess something? OK, maybe the second kiss."

Spitzer said he is "generally a local control-type of person, but in this case it would be like saying, 'Locals, it's OK if you don't fly the flag.' "

Fires on Orange County beaches are "part of our California fabric ... our California lifestyle. Our position should be opposed, period," Spitzer said.

But Supervisor John Moorlach countered, "With respect to one of my cities, Newport Beach, which does have a position, I would beg to differ from the good supervisor from District 3."

Nelson urged consideration of bonfire alternatives, such as propane-powered flames.

If Newport Beach officials are "really interested in air quality and not removing amenities," then they should consider smoke-free alternatives, Nelson said.

Last month, the California Coastal Commission dodged a decision on Newport Beach's request to ban fire rings, deferring to the AQMD. Since then, other cities have joined the debate.

Huntington Beach Mayor Connie Boardman, whose city has several hundred beach fire rings, sent a letter to the AQMD last month opposing a ban on fire pits, saying her town would lose more than $1 million a year in parking fees and sales and hotel taxes.

"The concept of a warm open fire evokes a sense of family and special memories for many generations," Boardman said in the letter. "A few years ago, as a way to reduce maintenance costs at the beach, the city considered removing some of the fire rings. Our residents were outraged. The proposal was dropped."

But, unlike Newport Beach, Huntington Beach has no homes situated near shoreline fire rings, Boardman said.

The Huntington Beach Chamber, Convention and Visitors Bureau and business leaders from surrouding beach cities have come out in opposition to ban as well. On Tuesday, the Seal Beach Chamber of Commerce called on its members to lobby their legislators against the ban.

"Though the City of Seal Beach does not permit fire pits, we of the Chamber support local control over such items such that, if Newport Beach does not wish them, yet Huntington Beach does, then they each should be able to do so, without the interference of yet another government agency," Deb Machen, President of the Seal Beach Chamber of Commerce said in a written release. "The Seal Beach Chamber wants to be clear in voicing its opposition to more arbitrary legislation and non-local control on an issue as historic and sensitive as fire rings in Huntington Beach."

In related news, state Assemblyman Travis Allen said he would hold a pro-bonfire beach blaze from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday at Newland and PCH in Huntington Beach, across the street from the power plant.

-- OC Patch staff contributed to this article.

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