Fire Ring Debate Draws Supporters in HB

By: Susan Hoffman

The fire rings at Orange County beaches could become a tradition of the past, but on Friday several people in Huntington Beach said they should keep on burning.

Dozens of residents attended a meeting Friday evening at Huntington Beach City Hall, hosted by Santa Ana Mayor and South Coast Air Quality Management District board member Miguel Pulido and Huntington Beach Mayor Connie Boardman. Earlier this week the AQMD, which is considering a ban on fire rings throughout Southern California, released a report which showed some fire pits cause a spike in pollution and impact on nearby residences.

“This was never part of our agenda until the city of Newport Beach brought it up," Pulido said about the potential fire ring ban in Orange County. "I came here to hear your thoughts.”

The fire ring debate began in Orange County started with Newport Beach wanting to extinguish its 60 fire rings at Big Corona and Balboa Pier. In March the California Coastal Commission dodged a decision on Newport Beach’s request to ban fire rings, deferring to the AQMD.

Pulido encouraged everyone in Orange County to add their voice to the fire ring issue. He said it is essential for community leaders to receive more input and opinions in order to avoid unintended consequences, such as losing all of the county's fire pits, which “was never anyone’s intention to have that happen.”    

Assemblyman Allan Mansoor (R-Costa Mesa) told the audience that he wants to keep the fire pits and that the legislature supports keeping 600 fire rings for Southern California. Community College Trustee Jose Solorio urged the AQMD to “keep their eye on the ball” by paying attention to more serious pollutants such as freeway traffic.

 “Keep your mitts off the pits,”  Solorio said.   

Thirty-five year resident, Carrie Swan said the fire ring controversy is a "classic example" of why so many Americans have a "growing distrust of government.”

Swan also singled out the "luxury homeowners" in Newport Beach, many of whom support a ban on the fire rings.

“This is an example of sheer elite cronyism here; stop bullying Huntington Beach and other coastal cities,” Swan added.

Resident Chris Espy noted a difference between the two cities at odds over the fire rings.

"Huntington Beach is not Newport Beach, we are welcoming not intolerant," resident Chris Espy added. "This feels like an unfair process.”     

Members of the business community also supported the fire rings at Friday's meeting.

"We have never had a complaint about the fire rings," J.D. Slater, of the Waterfront Beach Resort in Huntington Beach said.
    
Pulido said a similar fire ring public meeting will be held in Newport Beach. AQMD officials will continue to monitor the air quality over the summer.

What do you think about the fire rings? Should they stay or should they go? Tell us in the comments.