{"id":312602,"date":"2022-06-08T09:00:32","date_gmt":"2022-06-08T16:00:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sdnews.com\/?p=312602"},"modified":"2022-06-07T16:18:06","modified_gmt":"2022-06-07T23:18:06","slug":"proposal-to-extinguish-some-beach-fires-heads-to-city-council","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/test.sdnews.com\/es\/proposal-to-extinguish-some-beach-fires-heads-to-city-council\/","title":{"rendered":"Proposal to extinguish some beach fires heads to City Council"},"content":{"rendered":"

Some beach-access advocates are getting fired up over a proposal by District 1 Councilmember Joe LaCava to restrict beach fires to City-provided fire rings and portable propane-fueled devices only.<\/p>\n

On May 26,\u00a0the City\u00a0Council Environment Committee unanimously approved chair\u00a0LaCava\u2019s\u00a0proposed amendments clarifying beach fire\u00a0regulations.\u00a0LaCava\u2019s proposal\u00a0confining\u00a0beach fires to City-provided fire rings and portable propane-fueled devices is meant to resolve conflicting language,\u00a0improve\u00a0public safety,\u00a0and provide\u00a0clarity for beachgoers and public safety officials alike.<\/p>\n

\u201cI support safe, legal beach fires,\u201d\u00a0said LaCava.\u00a0\u201cThese amendments are essential in\u00a0keeping\u00a0our public beaches safe\u00a0while preserving\u00a0the public\u2019s access to the unique experience of beach fires.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is an important item that will bring long-awaited clarity for all parties who are impacted by this issue,\u201d\u00a0concurred District 2 Councilmember Dr. Jennifer Campbell.<\/p>\n

“Lifeguards routinely put out fires and remove hazardous debris from illegal beach fires that could injure beach patrons,\u201d\u00a0said SD Fire-Rescue Marine Safety Capt. Maureen Hodges.\u00a0\u201cChanging the municipal code could help prevent illegal beach fires and make the beaches safer for everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe new changes make it easier to understand and enforce,\u201d\u00a0said SDPD Northern Division Capt. Scott Wahl.\u00a0\u201cThe propane option will be much cleaner, safer, and cause fewer problems.\u00a0It\u2019s up to the community now to decide.\u201d<\/p>\n

The real danger of hot coals left on sandy beaches was underscored recently by an 18-month-old toddler burned by hot coals buried in the sand at Mission Bay. The toddler\u2019s family had been setting up a picnic at Ventura Cove. The boy was hospitalized and treated for second-degree burns.<\/p>\n

Not everyone, however, is fired up about the new proposed beach-fire regulations.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe fun police are after your freedom to use and enjoy your public beaches,\u201d said La Jolla beach-access advocate Ken Hunrichs. \u201cNot satisfied with extreme restrictions on beach access and fireworks displays, Council members LaCava and Campbell are proposing banning wood fires in privately owned fire bowls on City beaches.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe proposal would prohibit the use of your own fire bowl to have a natural wood fire. Their idea of a beach fire would force you to use only a propane fire in your device. That would be like lighting all the burners on your kitchen stove and sitting around it. Not a good experience,\u201d Hunrichs said.<\/p>\n

Longtime La Jollan Melinda Merryweather concurred with Hunrich\u2019s view.<\/p>\n

\u201cRight now, the rule in San Diego is you can have your own container and you can burn wood or charcoal,\u201d Merryweather said. \u201cThat rule used to be posted on City signs. I asked a lifeguard at Marine Street if I could bring my own fire pit, a big raised copper bowl where we burn wood to ashes, and they said it was allowed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Added Merryweather of the propane-only regulation proposal: \u201cThey don\u2019t want you to have wood or charcoal anywhere on the beach. They just want you to have propane. That\u2019s like taking a bunch of lights to the beach. It\u2019s not warm and cozy. A beach fire is summer.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want my grandchildren and great-grandchildren to have beach fires and that smell of hot dogs and marshmallows. They tried this (new fire regulations) in Newport Beach. There was so much anger about it they brought the fire pits back,\u201d Merryweather said.<\/p>\n

De acuerdo a Voz de San Diego<\/a>, there are 150 of these permanent, concrete fire rings throughout the City, with 32 additional rings placed on tourist-oriented beaches like La Jolla Shores, Mission Beach, and Ocean Beach for the summer season only.<\/p>\n

In 1990, the City had 450 fire rings. By 2008, as NBC7 reported, the city\u00a0removed 186 concrete fire pits<\/a>\u00a0from its beaches and shorelines, as a way of closing a $43 million gap in its budget. The Park and Recreation Department at the time estimated that it cost $173,000 a year to maintain them, as reported by Voz de San Diego<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe City hasn\u2019t removed any fire rings recently,\u201d said City spokesperson Tim Graham. \u201cWe do remove some summer-only fire rings in October in preparation for the winter months, but they go back out around spring break, so all the fire pits and rings should be out. As far as counts go, it\u2019s a little dependent on timing, as some fire rings are only out during the summer.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hunrichs claims the new\u00a0City ordinance \u201cmakes no provisions to provide additional City fire rings at beaches that do not have fire rings or have been removed.<\/p>\n

He added: \u201cThere currently are no fire rings at Children’s Pool or many other beaches in La Jolla.\u00a0This mistake is being pushed by the City Council members from La Jolla and Mission Beach at the request of\u00a0a few beachfront residents wanting to prohibit beach fires on \u2018their\u2019 beaches. They have forgotten the beaches are used and enjoyed by all the residents of San Diego, and not just those with the means to own beachfront property.<\/p>\n

\u201cBeach fires are a traditional and fun activity at public beaches and should not be allowed to be curtailed. The Council members from the other seven City Council districts, whose constituents don’t live at a beachfront property, should protect beach access and beach fires by opposing this very bad proposal.\u201d<\/p>\n

Are beach fires allowed in California?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Some California beaches allow fires, mostly during certain months of the year, within provided fire rings. Each beach has different rules and regulations regarding fires.<\/p>\n

What to bring for a beach fire?<\/strong><\/p>\n

You want to make sure that you have everything that you need before heading out to the beach. You should remember to bring the following items:\u00a0Wood or charcoal, matches or a lighter, fire logs, lighter fluid, kindling, newspaper or cardboard, small bucket for water (to put out fire), chairs, blankets, food, drinks, and wagon to carry supplies.<\/p>\n

How to get a fire ring? <\/strong><\/p>\n

Arrive at the beach early to claim a fire ring. Most fire rings are first come, first serve. Since there are a limited number of fire rings they get taken fast. Plan on getting yours in the morning and then staying by it all day.<\/p>\n

There are a few beaches that offer reservable paid picnic areas that include fire rings. There are also some concierge beach fire services that, for a fee, will go early, save your fire ring and parking spot, and make sure that you have all the supplies needed. This is a great idea if you want to skip all the hassle of gathering supplies and claiming a fire ring, and instead, just show up and enjoy your beach fire.<\/p>\n

Proposed beach-fire amendments include:\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n