Authorities from the California Coastal Commission permits the Newport beach to retain 64 of its fire rings. The approval officially ends the almost two-year debate between the city officials, government offices and residents regarding the definite number of fire rings and where it should be located exactly.

The commission came up with a 9-1 vote in favor of the long-term placement of fire rings in the Newport beach on Thursday. The approved rule encompasses the arrangement of 32 wood-burning and 32 charcoal-burning fire rings on both sides of the Balboa Pier. Eight of the rings to be fueled by wood will be situated close to the Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort and Marina.

"It's terrific," says Ed Selich, Newport Beach mayor. "This is a big weight off our shoulders. This was pitting residents and other groups against each other for years."

"Overall, it was a compromise between the city, the Air Quality Management District (AQMD), Coastal Commission staff, Friends of the Fire Rings and (neighbors)," says Dave Kiff, Newport Beach City Manager.

The new rule, however, did not approve the entire petition regarding the fire rings. This is because the Department of Parks and Recreation sent a letter to the Coastal Commission regarding its lack of authority over Corona del Mar State Beach, which is state-owned and leased by the city from the Parks Department. With this, 24 of the fire rings in the said beach was not permitted.

The issue regarding the fire rings in Newport Beach rooted from the neighbor's complains of smoke. The changes in the roster of the beach council officials cropped up, which led to the two-year debate. The Newport Beach officials then sought the help of the Coastal Commission, who later required the support of the AQMD for scientific and health purposes. In July 201, AQMD approved the restrictive recommendations made in the fire rings located in the Southland beaches.

The fire rings of the Newport Beach are like "baseball and apple pie," to its residents as majority of the local population is fighting to keep it, says Doug Swardstrom, founder of Friends of the Fire Rings. "They represent a place of peace," Swardstrom adds. "A place to reflect, and be with friends and family."

Photo: Michael Saechang | Flickr