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Beach Fire Rings: What’s Next?
posted: October 24th, 2009 07:23 am |
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More than 750 people have joined a group vowing to save the Big Corona fire rings. City Council woman Nancy Gardner said she’s received emails and calls by the score. Some people have even dared to say they don’t like fire rings.
But will the city actually ban them altogether? And if so, when?
At the last Newport Beach City Council meeting, Corona del Mar representative Gardner asked staff to research whether the city could one day permanently remove beach fire rings.
“I was initially, several years ago, indifferent to it,” Gardner said. “But I’ve been spending a great deal of time at Big Corona. The more I go down there the more I see the messes around the fire rings…The other day I was down there on a Sunday, and half the beach, all you could smell is lighter fluid. I think we should go much farther than this.”
Councilman Michael Henn agreed that they are health hazards, and Councilman Don Webb said they perhaps could be phased out over time. In the end, the council directed staff to bring back a report that would allow for all rings to be removed. There are 30 rings at Big Corona and 36 rings at the Balboa Pier.
(To watch a video of the discussion, click here for the city’s website. Click on the “video” link by City Council Regular Meeting for Oct. 13; the fire ring discussion begins at the 17:25 mark.)
Gardner later said that it would take a few weeks before the next step. “Nothing will happen until staff comes back with their report, which must first address the issue of if the city on its own can actually remove them,” she said in an email. “I have gotten lots of emails on both sides and have assured everyone that if staff says we can move forward, there will be study session or town hall meeting on the subject so that everyone can express themselves.”
Fernie Sy of the California Coastal Commission said removing the fire rings would require a permit.
“We do consider the fire rings as a public amenity,” he said. “We’d have to review the project.” The Coastal Commission typically takes many months before reviewing permit applications. For example, a China Cove volleyball issue that went before the commission last spring is still being reviewed.
The Facebook group called “Save the Big Corona Fire Pits!” has 769 users in just one week. Most vow to fight City Hall.
“City Council members contacted,” one member wrote. “No way this is going to happen with out a fight!”
One volleyball player, however, said he wished the fires weren’t permitted until late afternoon. “If they ban burning pallets and limit bonfires until after 4:00 then there would be a lot less critics of the pits, including me,” he wrote.
The critics of the ban, however, seem the most vocal.
“You’re really popular,” Mayor Ed Selich joked to Gardner at a recent meeting in Corona del Mar.
“Oh, I’m everywhere,” Gardner said. “I’ve decided fire rings are in the same category as dogs and trees as far as creating more attention than you’d expect.”
