21 Responses to “Coastal Commission to City: Fire Ring Removal Application Incomplete”
Comments
July 31st, 2012
Yep, this sounds like the Coastal Commission I know. Their job I think is to delay everything they touch. I went to a Coastal Commission meeting once. What a circus, there was even some fool outside the meeting wearing a rainbow wig and one dressed as Uncle Sam. That's our government at work. I wonder how many of the 5,200 live around the fire rings and have to bear the brunt of the parking, and crime and trash in our front yards and broken bottles in front of our homes. And isn't it curious there was no mention of the over 700 violations on Big Corona and multiple arguments over fire rings in just a month and a half.
July 31st, 2012
Thank goodness! I hope the fire rings stay for good.
July 31st, 2012
Jamie... solution, don't buy or live close to a PUBLIC beach or park....
July 31st, 2012
I'm a resident of Corona del Mar and I have experience in my own family that my grandchild had severe asthma attacks when she visited me and was exposed to the smoke from the fire rings. This may be considered anecdotal but so much research has proven that wood smoke provokes asthma and can cause lung and heart damage. It doesn't seem right that my grandchild can't have normal access to the public beach.
July 31st, 2012
I live a half block from those dastardly fire rings that attract the "public" to the state beach. Thanks for reminding me to sign the petition to save them--I am delighted to be 5201!
July 31st, 2012
The science on the hazards of wood smoke from any source is well documented. Wood burning fire rings present a seriuos public health hazard and wood smoke is even implicated in premature death in people of all ages. Kids are especially vulnerable, as well as anyone with sthma or heart disease. The Beach Authority would be wise to remove the rings and limit their liability. Also, the Coastal Commission has an obligation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to remove all "barriers" to the use and access of the beaches as public spaces to be used and enjoyed by all. It seems pretty clear cut that wood smoke violates most nuisance ordinances. It also seems that this article is not balanced, but appears to be pimping for those who want to continue polluting the beaches with wood smoke, with links to sign the petition against removal. Shouldn't public health and accessibility be the most important value? And what about the private properties near the beach who are smoked out by wood smoke on a frequent basis? The beaches are for everyone. Please remove the barrier of wood smoke.
July 31st, 2012
Anecdotal? The AQMD and the American Lung Association find the scientific evidence about the dangers of breathing wood smoke to be anything but anecdotal. This controversy is really about human nature. Wood smoke is proven to damage human health, yet people want to continue burning wood on a public beach. People don’t like to accept scientific knowledge when it conflicts with their beliefs. Is individual health of no consequence compared to a requirement for fun? What a heartless argument! Some argue that health concerns don’t matter because the fire rings were here first - which is sort of like saying we should still live with asbestos. Others cite their cavemen ancestors who surely knew more than we do today. Fifty years of fire rings – like tobacco smoke, much of the research about wood smoke is relatively new. It takes a long time for change to happen and there will always be those who discount science in favor of ancestral beliefs. Still, I predict that change is inevitable because the research is growing. I urge everyone to learn more about it before you decide. Dare to Google “health effects of wood smoke” and see for yourselves what you’re breathing. Carcinogens, anyone?
July 31st, 2012
With the health effects of wood smoke so well-known, why would anyone think that these fire rings are an attraction? A detraction is more like it. What enjoyment can be found in breathing in wood smoke and creating a haze of stench that surrounds all that visit there? Reading this article, I have to wonder if the author is a person who likes the fire pits and wrote this in an attempt to keep them. It is biased writing that has no base of knowledge to it. Wood smoke is a definite hazard to all that breathe it, including his/her foolish self. Protecting the public and the surrounding residents should be priority one.
July 31st, 2012
Excuse me Jay, and any others that don't like my opinion or are in fact the people causing the problems that residents endure. I have offered numerous solutions to the fire ring problems. But nobody wants to listen or compromise. You just want to DICTATE AND DEMAND. Well I tell you what - I and my family were here LONG BEFORE we were inundated with tourist hordes, and the accompanying crime, back when there were only about a dozen fire rings and those that were there were used by small family sized groups instead of giant groups and organizations. and sometimes GANGS, of 50 or 100 people per fire ring, bringing hundreds of thousands of people annually into an otherwise quiet residential neighborhood, staying late at night, breaking all kinds of laws, breaking into our cars, causing all kinds of problems for the police and residents. I don't mind people using the beach, I enjoy having people use the beach, it's not "my" beach but everyone's beach, but YOU don't have to wreck my enjoyment or ability to use it either - especially when Newport Beach residents are the ones paying for it. I have had my car broken into twice in recent years, had to have the police drag a passed out drunk out of my flower bushes, regularly have trash and bottles left in the front yard. No, I'm sorry - show some frigging respect for the people who live here and pay for the beach and, and the lifeguards, and the fire rings that YO use for FREE - or GET OUT OF MY TOWN! But don't any of you EVER tell me to leave the town I grew up in again! I was here long before 90% of you and I'll leave when I'm damn good and ready.
August 1st, 2012
A healthy community depends on removal of all fire rings. Yearly, children have been harmed and received burns due to these fire rings, yet that has not been mentioned in this article. Regardless of how much woodsmoke is present from use of the fire rings, the air is still being polluted and those who are at the area and that live near the area are receiving the negitive impact of a host of toxic, cancer causing chemicals that are found in Woodsmoke. One of the many deadly chemicals in Woodsmoke is Benzene. Benzene increases the risk of cancer and other illnesses. Benzene is a nortorious cause of bone marrow failure. Substantial quantities of epidemiologic, clinical, and laboratory data link benzene to Aplastic Anemia, acute leukemia, and bone marrow abnormalities. The specific hematologic malignancies that benzene is associated with include, acute myeloid leukemia (AML), aplastic anemia, myleodysplastic syndrome (MDS), acute Lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) Human exposure to Benzene is a global health problem. Benzene targets liver, kidney,lung, heart and the brain and can cause DNA strand breaks, chromosomal damage, etc. Benzene causes cancer in both animals and humans. Benzene and a cocktail of other toxic chemicals found in Woodsmoke are associated with Asthma, Cancer, COPD, Stroke, Cardiovascular, Cardiopulmonary, SIDs, Cardiac arrhythmia/dysrhythmia (which can be fatal), respiratory, and other Woodsmoke-related illnesses. There should be no queston about removal of fire rings which are an obvious Public Health and Safety Issue for everyone. Remove them!!!
August 1st, 2012
I live by the Dunes campgrounds and sometimes the BBQ lighter fluid and some fires are strong, so I simply close a few windows! what a concept! This removal push is so driven toward the folks are that use the fire rings. If your kid gets asthma from smoke, don't take them near the harbor entrance!, diesel fumes are way worse! I embrace the CDM gentleman with the big banners posted on his balcony, "Save the Fire Rings" (a fellow that grew up here). The rings also provided a safe/life saving factor if kids are surfing in the colder months, to fight off effects of hypothermia. Don't make the kids shiver, fire is good! you bunch of "HOA minded Wingnuts!", trying to make "perfectville". you live the with the general public if your not in a gated community. 60 years of fire rings, why now?
August 1st, 2012
It's a shame that a few people who knew full well the fire rings were at the beach when they bought their homes now want to take away a great public resource to suit their own personal needs.
August 1st, 2012
You'll ingest more benzene filling your cars tank than you'll ever get from a camp fire 100 yards away, even with days of exposure. I'll opt for good times with family. A better way to live longer. And fuller as well.
August 1st, 2012
Does anyone know how much the city is spending on the Coastal Commission application and follow-up? As a city taxpayer, I suspect there are more productive uses for these funds. Also, thank you to all that posted the health hazards of the fire rings--I have lived next to CDM beach for over 25 years and never realized I was in such danger!
August 1st, 2012
Save the fire rings/ write a letter to the coastal commission. Keep children with asthma away from danger everywhere. Its a big beach, room for all.
August 1st, 2012
Mark before you comment please READ the background. Most of us who feel the fire rings have outlived their lifespan were here BEFORE the problems began. When my family first came here we didn't have hundreds and sometimes thousands of people each night using the facility. Now on weekends especially each fire ring often attracts huge groups of people. The strain on the surrounding neighborhood has exceeded our capacity to control it. Personally I am fine with leaving the fire rings in place - I believe THE ENTIRE BEACH SHOULD BE CLOSED AT SUNSET! Let me once again ask a simple question of each reader that NOBODY HAS EVER ANSWERED - When was the last time YOU went swimming or used the beach at Big Corona after dark? And when was the last time you used the fire rings? And if you are not a Newport Beach resident WHY do you think residents should be required to pay for fire rings, police and other beach services for your free vacation enjoyment?
August 2nd, 2012
How long after the rings are removed until I can go to the beach without coming home with black legs from the soot? Will it take until the next rain? A few seasons? Any ideas? It's like walking through a barbecue pit now.
August 2nd, 2012
I like firerings, but woodsmoke, over time, seems like it would have serious enough health consequences that the current rings should go. What nobody in this inflamed debate is talking about is the VERY reasonable compromise of GAS fire-pits. The new infrastructure required even gives the city an excuse to issue DAILY PERMITS. Make a revenue-sucker-liability-creator into a revenue creator without the potential lawsuits on the ADA or third-degree-burn front.
August 6th, 2012
Jamie..., what year did yu graduate from CDMHS ?
September 4th, 2012
My family and I have been coming to Corona Del Mar Beach and using the fire pits since 1976. Our children have wonderful memories of those days. They asked to bring their friends and now as adults with children of their own and their friends children - we have continued the tradition. It is very special to us. We come on Thursday during the summer from the time school gets out until we go back. We like Thursdays because over the past 36 years we have not encountered any problems with other visitors to the beach. I do feel for those that live near there because it is no fun to have your yard a mess, your car broken into and other problems. It is a shame that people are not respectful of other people and their property. It makes it bad for the rest of us who enjoy the beach. I don't think the Newport Beach residents are paying for all the pits - the hefty $15.00 parking fee must be of some help...the lot is pretty full. I must say that I hope the Coastal Commission sits on this one for a few years.
September 10th, 2012
There are 3.1 million people living in Orange County. The quiet bucolic "village" is not the same as 30-40 years ago nor will it ever be the same. Restrictions on fire pits may help, may not. There will always be a constant horde of people with different races and ethnicities. Black, white, brown, yellow have the right to use the beach. Deal with it!
