Huntington Beach Bonfire Rings

No matter which way the tide turns, bonfire rings will remain in the hearts and minds of California beach lovers for years to come. They have provided a family-fun form of entertainment for 100 years, but like so many old-fashioned traditions, the rings were jeopardized first by budget cuts in cities and the state. They survived that near fatal blow during the economic downtown of the early 21st century, only to face another threat based on the premise that the pits are polluters reducing air quality for those up or downwind in residences nearby.

Beaches change with the times. San Diego beaches used to be the most generous Southern California beaches for drinking alcohol. Several years ago alcoholic beverages were outlawed.

Bonfire rings are usually made of cement. They often come in circular shapes, though some are square or rectangular. They set down onto the sand and are approx. 1.5-3 feet deep. The fuel allowed for burning is wood, though treated wood, furniture, crates, and other such items are not permitted for burning. However, it's nearly impossible for limited lifeguard staff to spend time regulating fire and fire wood, especially after dark. Thus, all sorts of wood are, in reality, burned in the pits.

Municipalities that clean the pits and the sand routinely find nails, and other sorts of trash left over after an active night of bonfire burning.

As a debate heated up in 2012 about the right to ban bonfires or to burn wood at the beach, many complaints, suggestions and requests on both side of the subject were made. Most lacked any science to back them. Science was needed to make big decisions.

Opponents of fire rings say that the smoke is bad for health. For those who presumably breathe smoke on a daily basis in close proximity, it's easy to imagine that it could be mentally stressful if you don't like it, and potentially damaging to your lungs, depending.

Proponents of bonfires say that the homeowners knew going in that the rings were a part of living near certain beaches where they are permitted.

The same issues have been tackled in neighboring Newport Beach where some fire rings continue to wood burning, and others only allow the use of charcoal briquets.