Beach Cooking Fires Suspended Due to Mess

The fire department has suspended permits for beach cooking fires after firefighters found unsafe and messy conditions at Phillips Beach over the weekend.

Fire Chief Kevin Breen expects to resume issuing permits for the beach cooking fires but only after the beach is cleared of fire debris.

Thereafter, people need to abide by the regulations for the permitting to continue, he said.

"The big thing is we need the cooperation of the public to self-police the beach," the fire chief said. "This is a benefit being provided that is not common because of regulations."

Several year ago the town instituted the permit program as a way to allow for the ages-old tradition of roasting around a campfire — but in a safe and tidy manner.

The department issues an estimated 80 to 100 of these permits a year. (See the regulations below.)

But on June 1 the department responded to a complaint and found a large burning log and the Phillips Beach fire site strewn with beer cans and trash.

They also found remants of other fire sites on the beach, the fire chief said. The department suspended cook fires, denying requests for the permits over the weekend, the fire chief said.

At last check it appears the beach has been cleaned up or is well on the way to being cleaned, he said.

There was a time when no permits were issued, in keeping with clean air and other regulations.

Burning pressure-treated wood and large untended fires pose a danger to people and to marshland habitat and the plants, animals and birds they support.

So, the department is looking for the public's cooperation to continue the cooking fire permit program.

It's in nobody's benefit to have the beach a mess and covered with debris, the fire chief said.

Beach Cooking Fire Regulations

In accordance with 310 CMR 7.07 the Swampscott Fire Prevention Bureau permits small cooking fires to be conducted in the open air under the following restrictions.

• Said open fire shall be primarily for cooking purposes.

• A permit to conduct such open air cooking fire shall be obtained from the Swampscott Fire Prevention Bureau.

• All fuel to be used shall be free of chemical contaminants. No pressure treated wood, plywood or creosote treated wood shall be used.

• The on duty shift commander at Swampscott Fire Department (781 595-4050) shall be contacted 1 hour prior to ignition of cooking fire.  The shift commander shall have the final go or no-go decision for the fire, based on atmospheric conditions; wind, temperature inversion etc.

• The cooking fire must be attended at all times by a competent adult.
•   

1. Age 21 or older
2. Swampscott Resident

• A means of control / extinguishment (sand, water bucket, hose, fire extinguisher) must be present at all times.

• Smoke and flying brands must be controlled so as not pose a hazard or to annoy neighbors.  Neighbor complaints to the Fire Department will result in immediate extinguishment.

• At the conclusion, the cooking fire shall be completely extinguished and all fire remains and rubbish removed from beach. Don’t ruin it for everyone by leaving a mess!!

• Under certain situations use of Public Park / beach land may require prior approval of the office of the Board of Selectmen.