![]() “The beach is a public space for the entire population of San Diego city and county, not just these people’s personal front yard.” ![]() “This has actually been a big push from all the wealthy beachfront property owners,” he said. “It’s very necessary for public safety and health.”Ĭameron Naiman, who has owned Beach and Bay Bonfires for nearly 10 years, said the new policy is the result of lobbying by residents near city beaches. “I believe this ordinance really makes clear what is allowed and what is not,” she said. “The amendments are not a ban on beach fires, but they will provide the public with clear rules as to what is allowed and give first responders the clarity needed to enforce regulations - clarity that currently doesn’t exist,” Webb said.Ĭity officials said fines for illegal beach fires range from $250 to $1,000.Ĭouncilwoman Jennifer Campbell, whose District 2 includes Mission Beach and Ocean Beach, said the new policy is the right move. ![]() Larry Webb, president of the Mission Beach Town Council, also lobbied for the changes, saying the new policy is about clarity and enforcement. The La Jolla Town Council, La Jolla Community Planning Association, La Jolla Parks & Beaches, La Jolla Shores Association and Barber Tract Neighborhood Association all have advocated action by the city of San Diego to ban wood and charcoal beach fires in favor of those fueled by propane. Beach-goers will no longer fear stepping on hot coals buried under the sand or breathing excessive smoke.” “My recommendation had a broad coalition of support to include public safety - police, fire, lifeguards and park rangers - as well as town councils and environmentalists. “Protecting the community and enjoying our beachfront recreational activities are not mutually exclusive,” he said. “Previous confusing language made determining lawful activities difficult for both users and public safety alike,” said LaCava, who has been promoting making changes to the code for over a year. Bonfires for the purpose of keeping people warm or providing light at night must be in a city-provided fire ring.”Ĭity Councilman Joe LaCava, whose District 1 includes La Jolla, said in a statement after the council’s decision that it isn’t a ban on beach fires but rather “the preservation of the safe enjoyment of an iconic San Diego beach activity.” Though city spokesman Jose Ysea told the La Jolla Light at the time that no beach bonfires are allowed outside of city-provided rings, the municipal code said it is permissible “to build a fire on a public beach in a portable barbecue device.”Īnother city spokesman, Tim Graham, attempted to clarify, saying “the distinction is that smaller barbecue devices used to cook food are allowed on the beach, provided they are self-contained, are above the sand and people remove any hot coals. News La Jolla bonfires for hire ignite questions about what’s allowed and concerns about pollutionĭespite questions about their legality, a local company is continuing to offer bonfire parties at La Jolla’s Marine Street Beach, saying San Diego city employees have allowed it. ![]() They also said many low-income families won’t be able to afford devices for propane fires and will be shut out if the limited number of city rings are occupied.īonfire parties at Marine Street Beach run by a local company using its own portable fire pit raised questions last year about what is allowed on city beaches. Some also have complained of air pollution from such fires.Ĭity officials said the new policy will reduce burn injuries from smoldering wood underneath the sand, improve air quality in beach neighborhoods and clarify rules for beach users as well as police seeking to crack down on illegal fires.Ĭritics, including companies that create bonfires for tourists, said a safety education campaign would have been a better choice than a crackdown. Many La Jolla beaches, such as Marine Street Beach and La Jolla Shores, do not have city-provided fire rings, and local residents have said fires on the sand pose a safety hazard because hot remnants left behind can harm unsuspecting beach-goers who step on them. While the municipal code may be strictly interpreted as already banning beach fires outside city-designated rings, city officials say it’s important to update the code for clarity and because wood fires have been allowed outside of those rings for many years. Hotels and other private businesses that lease city land are exempt from the new policy, so they still will be allowed to have wood fires outside city fire rings. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the La Jolla Light.īecause the policy includes an ordinance in addition to municipal code changes, it won’t take effect until 30 days after the council approves it a second time in January. ![]()
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