(WSB photo, July 2020)
The fire rings at Alki will be back by Memorial Day weekend, Seattle Parks announced via Twitter today. The rings’ absence hasn’t stopped people from having beach fires; SFD is dispatched often to “illegal burn” reports there. The rings were removed last July, months after Parks locked them, resulting in people building fires on or by them instead.
I saw at least 15 fires on the beach last night and there was not a single 911 response on the SFD log for an illegal burn. I could smell the smoke in the air from a block and a half from Alki Avenue on my balcony.
Alki Ave and Harbor Dr has been jam packed all weekend. Alki must be off the chain.
I completely understand why they removed them..covid and all. But they may as well have left them in place- the amount of illegal fires on the beach has been terrible, and a near nightly problem.. Not to mention the trash! Yesterday was a busy day at the beach, and when I went down at 7am this morning, the beach was completely trashed.. people need to do BETTER!! I grew up on alki and seeing it this morning sickened me..
They should never have been taken away. Their absence has just encouraged random, illegal fires with charred wood, nails, staples, and screws left in the sand for this summer’s beachgoers to step on.
In this day and age the beach fire should be a thing of the past.
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There simply is no reason to re-establish this, albeit traditional, practice on Alki.
I grew up with warnings and memories of other kids burned by sunshine invisible smoldering beach fires from the night before.
Back then, some even built fires of the long and large driftwood trunks that would burn for days.
These dangers eventually led to the fire pits in an attempt to gain some control.
The fire pits, when they are used, were intended to limit the size of the drift wood and resulting fires and prevent beach burns on feet.
The main argument secondary to burns is also public health. Beach fire people are bring in all sorts of combustibles for their beach fires.
Beyond the burning pine pallets are all sorts of painted, lead painted and pressure treated toxic lumber, colorfully blaming, roasting marshmallows and smoke clouding the beach and nearby homes.
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My rant against the hallowed tradition of beach fires is out of unquestionable environmental and health damages caused by this unsustainable practice.
In anticipation of the comments, I suggest and support the Parks replace the fire pits with post mounted ‘barbecue’ stands like those in Lincoln Park.
This would address the outdoor cooking beach goers’ concerns while largely eliminating the hazards and toxic smoke. I agree this would not be the same as the beach fires of embed in American mythology.
Good. This tradition cannot be eliminated by any government fiat. Better to try and manage it. It might help to have large signs telling folks what burn materials are and are not acceptable. And when these signs are placed maybe some additional “ no dogs on beach” signs could be placed.
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