SAN DIEGO - The City of San Diego could soon be enacting some new rules about bonfires.
Mission Beach resident Mike Hornung tells NBC 7 he sees the problems with the bonfires first hand during daily walks with his dog.
“A lot of times people don’t put them out and then they smoke and stay hot, even if they bury them in the sand, and you can step on them. So it becomes a real danger,” said Hornung.
Last week the city's Environment Committee voted unanimously to consider new rules on bonfires to address air quality and beach safety concerns. Under the new rules people would only be allowed to build wood fires in the concrete fire pits already in place along the beaches. Wood and coal-fired barbecue pits for cooking would be banned but propane grills would still be allowed.
Kenneth Hunrichs opposes the stricter rules says he doesn't think the air quality issues are as bad as others claim and the city can help mitigate some of the other concerns.
"The hot embers being stepped on, I think is pretty easily resolved by the city providing the right equipment at our beaches," said Hunrichs.
The city removed more than 180 fire pits back in 2008 because of budget issues and the cost of maintaining those pits.
The new rules will now be considered by the city council.
Photo: Eddie McCoven