Newport Beach to Consider Natural Gas Fire Rings

The Newport Beach City Council will weigh whether to install natural-gas burning fire rings on certain beaches as part of a pilot project.

The Los Angeles Times reports the California city staff plans to recommend that the council approve the cleaner-burning gas fire rings on Tuesday.

The project would be a collaboration with the South Coast Air Quality Management District, which has to give final approval for the building of the propane and gas fire rings.

The California Coastal Commission also needs to sign off.

The switch to gas fire rings comes amid concerns over wood-burning bonfires. During the test period, city officials will study how safe the gas rings are to operate and whether they’re easy to maintain.