About Newport Beach's Fire Rings

Fire rings are available on a first-come, first-served basis between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. daily.

Newport Beach's fire rings are located closer to homes than fire rings found in neighboring coastal cities. That's why the law, per South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) Rule 444, requires the City of Newport Beach to work to limit the wood smoke impacts to the area residents generated by the burning fires in the rings.

To help comply with local air quality regulations, there are two types of fire rings available for public use. The rings painted green are for burning charcoal only. The unpainted rings are for burning clean wood or charcoal.

Fire ring users must comply with these designations. Violators are subject to citations and fines ranging from $100 to $500, per NBMC Section 11.08.060.

Using the Fire Rings
Green Fire Rings - Burn Charcoal Only Only charcoal may be burned in the green-painted fire rings Do not burn wood or wood logs in the green-painted fire rings Charcoal is better for cooking and creates lower flames and less smoke than wood. Only use water to extinguish the fire Charcoal can be purchased locally at: Newport Pier, Corner of Paradise, 101 Palm Street Balboa Pier, Balboa Tobacco, 107 Main Street Corona del Mar State Beach, Ace Hardware, 3107 E. Coast Highway Please DO NOT burn anything but charcoal in the green fire rings.
Unpainted Fire Rings - Burn Wood or Charcoal  Clean wood, wood logs or charcoal may be burned in the unpainted fire rings Wood will create a larger flame, more warmth and more smoke than charcoal Please use clean wood only - no pallets, nails, staples Do not burn trash, such as plastic or aluminum, in the fire rings Only use water to extinguish the fire
ADA Accessible Fire Rings The City has created concrete walkways and pads to designated ADA accessible fire rings. There are eight accessible fire rings near the Balboa Pier (four on each side) There four accessible fire rings at Corona del Mar State Beach
Fire Ring Locations
West of the Balboa Pier 1 Balboa Pier, Newport Beach, 92661 Fire rings: Eight wood burning, four designated for ADA access Eight charcoal only Parking is available in the Balboa Pier Parking Lot
East of the Balboa Pier 1 Balboa Pier, Newport Beach, 92661 Fire rings: Seven wood burning, four designated for ADA access Eight charcoal only Parking is available in Lot B
Corona del Mar State Beach 3001 Ocean Boulevard, Corona del Mar, 92625 Fire rings: 16 wood burning, four designated for ADA access Eight charcoal only Parking is available in Corona del Mar Main Beach Lot
Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort 1131 Back Bay Drive, Newport Beach, 92660 Fire rings: Eight wood burning Resort information and directions

A Brief History of the Newport Beach Fire Rings

In 2012 and 2013, the City pursued removal of the area's 60 wood-burning rings (33 near the Balboa Pier area and 27 at Corona del Mar State Beach) by asking the California Coastal Commission (Commission) to permit their removal. The Coastal Commission did not act, but its staff (prior to and at the Commission's public hearing) expressed strong concern with any removal of wood-burning rings. Instead, at the Commission’s hearing, a Commissioner asked to wait for action until the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) weighed in. After completing air quality studies and holding public meetings, AQMD adopted a new rule (Rule 444) in July 2013 that said (generally) by March 1, 2014: 

Wherever wood-burning rings are within 700’ of residences:

• If a community has more than 15 wood-burning rings, the rings must be spaced at least 100’ from each other; and
• Wood can’t be burned during region-wide “no burn” days (these typically occur in the wintertime); and
• The distancing requirements do not apply to rings where charcoal or liquid or gaseous fuels are burned instead of wood, or to rings made available for disabled access.

All of Newport Beach’s 60 fire rings were within 700’ of residences, and most were spaced about 30-40’ from each other. To comply with AQMD's Rule 444, Newport Beach took measures to properly space the rings at least 100' from each other.  

There is only one small location (at Big Corona at the oceanward corner of the East Jetty entrance to Newport Harbor) where the beach is beyond 700’ of residences.

On January 13, 2015, the City Council authorized immediate wood burning in up to 30 rings if they were spaced properly. Additionally, the City Council asked City staff to submit a 60-ring, wood-burning plan to the Coastal Commission, provided that the plan complied with the 100' spacing requirements of AQMD’s Rule 444. The spacing, per Plan 17, was completed in compliance with AQMD's Rule 444. 

Communicating Your Thoughts

If you have any questions or would like to share your thoughts on fire rings, please send an email to recreation@newportbeachca.gov or call 949-644-3151.

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