CORONADO, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — As city of San Diego fire pits face an uncertain future, a private company now operating in Coronado is hoping to provide an option to still allow safe and legal fires on the beach.
Blulite Bonfires held a ribbon cutting on the beach in Coronado celebrating a successful six months in business so far.
“We’re hoping to take this model and some kind of hybrid to be able to introduce to the city of San Diego,” said CEO Rene Contreras.
As all San Diego fire pits remain on the chopping block to save the city roughly $135,000 of the current quarter of a billion-dollar deficit, Contreras says it’s been an uphill battle trying to operate in his hometown.
“Specifically in the vending ordinance, they updated the vocabulary and added no beach whatsoever no sand, no beach, which meant like even if we were doing the right thing or wanting to get a permit, it doesn’t exist,” Contreras said.
Coronado found a way to work with Contreras to qualify for beach rental permitting. It opened the door for groups of 1 to 100 people to take advantage of the set up, which is also focused on being ecofriendly. Blulite Bonfire uses clean burning propane and solar lights.
It all does come with a cost. The city permit runs $400-500 and Blulite Bonfire packages start at $375 and grow from there if it’s a larger event with other add-ons like catering.
Rigo Enciso’s family was out enjoying one of Coronado’s free fire pits and weighed in on the idea.
“It’s great that at least there’s an option, but hopefully it stays as an option. I would hate for it to be the only option that we have is ‘oh, you have to pay for a service here,'” Enciso said.
Contreras believes banning fire pits altogether will only risk illegal activity and more cleanup in the city of San Diego and hopes his company might finally capture the attention of city leaders.
“We are looking for adjustments. We don’t need to upturn everything, but there are ways. The city of Coronado is making it happen, the state beaches are making it happen, the Port of San Diego has a permit program,” Contreras said.
FOX 5/KUSI did reach out to Mayor Todd Gloria’s office as well as Council President Joe LaCava, who were both invited to attend the Blulite Bonfire event. They have not yet responded to questions about if San Diego would consider a service like this.
Blulite Bonfires also hosts a monthly beach cleanup followed by a free bonfire.
