Park Service puts Strict Limits on Bonfires at Ocean Beach

By Carol Dimmick

Starting in January, the public's ability to enjoy bonfires at Ocean Beach will be limited to a small stretch of sand between Lincoln Way and Fulton Street.

The new rule is part of a get-tough policy by the National Park Service (NPS) aimed at reducing the amount of hazardous debris left behind by partygoers and controlling the amount of dangerous smoke from creosote-soaked firewood that drifts into adjacent neighborhoods.

Until January, when the new rule is expected to be adopted, the current policy, which allows bonfires on Ocean Beach from stairwell 14 (near Fulton Street) south to Sloat Boulevard, will remain in effect. Other park rules that will not change require all fires to be less than three feet in diameter and prohibit the burning of creosote-treated wood, pallets, furniture and garbage. Permits are not required unless the group is larger than 25 people.

George Durgerian, a park ranger at the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA), a part of the NPS, said the stretch of beach between Lincoln Way and Fulton Street was chosen because of its accessibility for the park's beach cleaning equipment, which cannot be used on other stretches of the beach where the endangered snowy plovers live. He also said the restricted area will allow park police to more effectively enforce the rules and control crime.

In addition to reducing the amount of beach area where fires are allowed, the NPS is attempting to beef-up enforcement efforts.

Within the next few months, the NPS will assign a second park police officer to patrol Ocean Beach. The park service is also working closely with local law enforcement officials and neighbors to target the Taraval and Judah Muni streetcar lines that bring partygoers to the beach, who sometimes trash the area and commit crimes.

The new policy is the culmination of months of working with interested members of the public, beginning with a March 18 meeting held at Fort Mason to get the public's input.

At the March meeting, Jonathan Gervais, a planner for the GGNRA, described the hazardous situation from bonfires at Ocean Beach.

Hot embers, nails, broken glass and needles are creating safety and sanitation problems for beach users, Gervais said. Pollution from chemicals released when creosote-treated wood is burned is also impacting the neighborhood, he added.

"It's not just the park service that is seeing these issues, it's the neighbors. It's a maintenance nightmare," Gervais said.

To get the word out to the public about the new rule, within the next few months the NPS will be working with the Ocean Beach Task Force, the Coalition to Save Ocean Beach and neighbors to distribute educational materials to the public about the new policy. More trash cans are also slated to be put in the fire-burning area.

Volunteers can call (415) 239-2366 for more information. A fire hotline will be installed soon.