An End To Ritual Bonfires In SF?
The San Francisco Gate reports on efforts by The National Park Service to close down bonfires at Ocean Beach. Ocean Beach is the last stretch of beach in San Francisco that still allows legal bonfires. But due to a lack of manpower and resources in patrolling the area, authorities don’t feel they can control violations on the beach.
“We’re not a dictatorial agency, but the park must be accountable to all its users. We’re failing their expectations.” – Superintendent Brian O’Neill
Starhawk with bonfire.
The proposed ban has worried local groups who have a legacy of building bonfires at Ocean Beach. This includes participants in the Burning Man festival (which was conceived at nearby Baker Beach), and the Reclaiming collective among others.
“It’s San Francisco’s great fortune to have the prospect of the great Pacific before it. To gather ’round the fire speaks of a communal impulse that’s nothing but good.” – Larry Harvey, Burning Man founder
The Park Service is accepting public comments on the matter until April 15th. They are expected to make a decision by May 1st. A web site “Save Ocean Beach” has been created to encourage comments and to cover the issues. So far between 400-500 comments for a compromise have been filed, and only 10-20 for an outright ban. But with the city saying a compromise is too expensive, it remains to be seen if bonfires will continue at Ocean Beach.
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