Driftwood hut fire on Half Moon Bay beach controlled quickly

An unattended beach campfire in one of the many driftwood wind shelters constructed by beachgoers on the Half Moon Bay beach in Westhaven State Park flared out of control on June 19.

Eleven South Beach volunteer firefighters responded to the call that came in at 9:03 p.m. They contained and then extinguished the blaze inside a 10’x10’ driftwood structure. The fire was declared out at 10:12 p.m.

The blaze could have grown exponentially very quickly, given the large amounts of nearby driftwood fuel in the form of other windbreak huts.

Follow campfire rules

Currently small campfires are permitted on Twin Harbors beaches. However, as wasn’t the case in this instance, campfires must be at least one hundred feet from the dunes and no more than four feet in diameter with fuel stacked no more than three feet high. If you are unsure if you are far enough away, you are too close.

No campfires are allowed on any shellfish bed.

State Park rangers may impose additional restrictions on fires for the protection of the health, safety and welfare of the public, park visitors or staff, or for the protection of park resources.

If lighting a campfire along the beaches, please remain aware of weather conditions. High winds can carry sparks great distances, creating fires in the dunes, possibly affecting nearby homes.

State regs in city limits

The City of Westport does not have an ordinance referring to campfires on the beach because the City does not have any jurisdictional authority on the beaches. All of the beaches, with the exception of a very small portion along Half Moon Bay between the Coast Guard lookout and the marina revetment, are under the jurisdiction of the State Parks. State regulations apply there also.