Community Corner

Board Extinguishes Several Wood Burning Bonfires in Newport

The South Coast Air Quality Management District approved restrictions on fire pits, banning fires at Balboa Beach and Corona del Mar State Beach.

Despite vocal opposition from some beachgoers, the South Coast Air Quality Management District board today approved restrictions on fire pits on Southland beaches.

The restrictions require fire pits to be kept at least 700 feet away from the nearest residence and 100 feet apart -- but at least 50 feet apart if a city has 15 or fewer. The measure also includes restrictions on beach fires on high-pollution days.

It also includes pilot programs for fire rings powered by natural or propane gas instead of wood.

Find out what's happening in Newport Beach-Corona Del Marwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The board voted 7-6 to approve the restrictions, despite a lengthy public hearing during which supporters of the fire pits decried any effort to restrict or ban the fires.

AQMD board member Josie Gonzales, a San Bernardino County supervisor, said the restrictions are essential to preventing excess pollution from the fires.

Find out what's happening in Newport Beach-Corona Del Marwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"It does not jeopardize the existence or the use of the fire pits," she said. "And it is imperative that protecting the public health be a priority beyond being popular."

The issue has generated its own heat in recent months since Newport Beach officials sought a ban on the fire rings in their city. They withdrew the application when it appeared the state Coastal Commission, at a meeting it held Thursday, would block Newport Beach's effort to remove 60 fire rings in Corona del Mar and the Balboa Peninsula.

The application to the Coastal Commission got the AQMD involved because the commission wanted to get scientific data on the health effects of the fire pits before making a decision. That led the AQMD to consider a total ban on the fire pits along much of the Southern California coast, prompting outcries from officials in Huntington Beach, San Clemente and elsewhere who want to maintain the tradition.

Newport Beach Mayor Keith Curry and Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido, who serves on the AQMD board, developed a proposal for restrictions and natural gas pilot programs.

Traditionalists enjoy fire rings and say it is a low-cost form of recreation. Supporters also say they generate business from beachgoers. Opponents say the smoke from the bonfires pose health risks.

Under the guidelines approved today, cities maintaining the fire rings must adhere to a standard on pollution that does not exceed 100 fine particulates on the air quality index. Under that criteria, Dockweiler State Beach, Huntington City Beach and Bolsa Chica State Beach will not be affected by the restrictions on fire rings.

Huntington State Beach will have to remove about 30 fire rings within 700 feet of a mobile home park, and fire rings at Corona del Mar State Beach and Balboa Beach will have to be removed or put elsewhere because they are too close to residences. Doheny State Beach will be most affected because homes are within 700 feet.

Two or more fire rings may have to be removed at Capistrano Beach Park, but the restrictions will not affect fire rings in Aliso Beach County Park and along the San Clemente and North Beach coast.

Newport Beach could install 10 fire rings fueled by propane or natural gas instead of wood. That must be approved by the City Council and Councilwoman Leslie Daigle has signaled her opposition, saying some firefighters think the proposal is "lame and dangerous." 

- City News Service


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