Development of alternative fire rings approved - newport beach news

Local beach-goers could soon see low-emission, non-wood burning fire rings, following a vote by a regional committee on Nov. 15. The South Coast Air Quality Management District’s Technology

Committee recently unanimously approved executing two contracts for creating the public beach fire pit rings with Earth’s Flame, Inc. and Blazing Design, Inc. to “develop and demonstrate

propane and natural gas fired fire rings.” Neither is to exceed $300,000. According to the committee’s agenda, the board released an RFP for the “demonstration of low-emission outdoor

non-wood public beach-type fire rings and/or low-emission non-wood burning retrofit equipment and devices for existing outdoor public beach-type fire rings,” at their July 12 meeting. They

received seven proposals and each proposal varied in experience and cost, explained air quality engineer and program supervisor Alfonso Baez at the Nov. 15 meeting. The board is currently

working with the gas company to determine demonstration locations, Baez explained, so the new technology can be evaluated. It could be up to 15 rings, he said. It was recommended at least

one of the demonstration rings be on the state beach. “I think there are opportunities to make inroads with the state parks,” one member said. Another member also suggested doing some public

outreach. Committee members also asked Newport Beach Mayor Keith Curry to have a fire official take part in monitoring the alternative fire pits. “We should ask for some significant

contribution from the participating cities, in particular Newport Beach,” said Dr. Joseph Lyou at the meeting. “I think they should be a player in this and help us in any way that is

reasonable.” _For more information, visit aqmd.gov._