Carmel Beach removes fire pits

We’re in the first week of November and the City of Carmel is starting to get ready for winter.

In preparation for winter, the City has removed its fire pits from Carmel Beach. For people like Joe and Lisa Thompson, used to the warmer conditions of the Central Valley the pits will be missed. “You just get to enjoy it longer. [You] get to see the sunset. You know, and it’s warmer,” says the couple.

As we inch closer and closer to winter, two things start to happen: bigger waves and more rain. When the tides come up to the top of the beach, the City worries those fire pits might get swept out to the ocean.

The Director of Public Works in Carmel, Bob Harary says, “We had 9 smokeless fire pits out on the beach this year, all south of Tenth Avenue.”

Over the past few weeks, those fire pits have been put into storage. Harary says Carmel Beach is known for it’s pristine white sandy beaches. In the summer, the fire pits have a practical use–keeping wood and charcoal out of the sand, and smoke away from nearby residents.

If you do want to snuggle up next to the fire and watch the sunset, you’re not completely out of luck. You can bring your own fire device as long as it is propane powered to Carmel Beach south of tenth avenue.

Even with the rules in place, the Carmel Police Dept. says they still see people with wood fires on the beach from time to time. If you get caught.. It will be a hit to your pocketbook.

Paul Tomasi, Chief of Police in Carmel, says, “It’s pretty steep actually, the City it’s about $100 for us for the violation. But once you get done with all the court fees, it runs about $475 dollars for a ticket.”