UPDATE: Carmel beach bonfire ban extended

UPDATE 9/1/15: A 45-day ban that limits beach bonfires in Carmel has been extended for 10 months and 15 days.

In august, the Carmel City Council placed the three-day-a-week ban after air quality levels fell below EPA standards during the Fourth of July weekend.

This means beach bonfires in Carmel are prohibited Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Federal Holidays.

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Beach bonfires in Carmel are on hold for the next 45 days during weekends and holidays.

Carmel City leaders unanimously approved an emergency, temporary ban Thursday night. Council members said the main reason was because air quality levels fell below EPA standards during the 4th of July weekend.

For now, beach bonfires are not allowed on Carmel beaches on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and on federal and state holidays.

The move came after City Council discussed its options Thursday night. Council members said they had four options to consider. They could have decided to temporarily ban all beach fires on Carmel Beach or they could ban fires from Friday through Sunday and all the holidays.

They also had the option to implement the beach fire pilot program. The pilot program would limit the number of fires to 26 and require they be lit only in designated fire areas like pits.

According to Carmel Mayor Jason Burnett, the city had to take action because it still hasn’t heard from the California Coastal Commission in order to move forward with the pilot program.

“A little bit of a tragedy of the commons,” Victoria Beach, Carmel City Council Member said. “Trying to navigate between two common interests, one that’s environmental and health, one that’s recreation and historical.”

The emergency ban takes effect immediately.