Around Home : Fires on the Beach

A ROARING BONFIRE BY the ocean, surrounded by girls in bikinis and surfers waxing down their boards is a picture right out of an old “Beach Party” movie. But, alas, open fires are no longer allowed on Southern California public beaches except in concrete fire rings built into the sand in some areas, or in the glowing coals of one’s own portable barbecue. There are also now many beaches where no fires of any kind are permitted.

Beaches under the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County fall into the latter category, with the exception of Dockweiler State Beach in Playa del Rey, which has about 90 fire rings, and Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro, which has only a few.

“Fifty-nine million people visited Los Angeles County beaches last year, and because of this population explosion, beach fires have been banned,” explains Jim Cole, chief of special services, Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors. “The beach was turning black from leftover charcoal, and many people had been burned by stepping on last night’s buried coals.” Even butane camp stoves and mini-stoves have been outlawed due to the no-beach-cooking edict. “You can step in a bowl of soup or a cup of tea and still get burned. We have enough first-aid problems already,” he says.

In Orange County, however, fire rings dot the shore. The municipal sand of Huntington City Beach, along with its sister beaches of Huntington Beach State Park and Bolsa Chica State Beach, are wonderful places for an off-shore barbecue. The beaches are clean, wide, free of debris, and the fire pits are well maintained.

Additional beaches where fire rings are available include Aliso Beach Park south of Laguna, Capistrano Beach, Corona del Mar State Park in Newport, Doheny Beach Park at Dana Point Harbor, San Clemente State Beach, San Onofre State Beach, Moonlight State Beach in Encinitas, Carlsbad State Beach, all of the City of San Diego beaches, which includes Ocean Beach, Mission Beach, Pacific Beach, La Jolla Shores Beach and all of Mission Bay.

Fire rings are in use year-round, and competition becomes fierce in summer. Beach picnickers should arrive early for an afternoon cookout and consider using the fire receptacles at less popular hours, such as for a beach breakfast or supper. Most of the beaches that provide fire rings also allow individual barbecues, but check local regulations.

On many beaches where facilities are not provided for fires, metal barbecues can be set up. Beaches allowing barbecues include East Beach in Santa Barbara, Long Beach Municipal Beach,Santa Monica State Beach, Torrey Pines Beach near La Jolla, and McGrath State Beach in Ventura.

Proper disposal of coals is of the utmost importance. Douse with water until completely extinguished and remove them from the beach. Burning newspapers or cardboard can set off quite an ash storm, so avoid using those materials.

Suggested bring-alongs: firewood, oven mitts, fire tongs and water.