June 6, 4:05 PM Responding to a report last week in the Post-Intelligencer, Seattle Parks and Recreation Superintendent Tim Gallagher clarified that Parks does not intend to take any action this year.

A scheduled briefing is an opportunity to make the park board, which has many new members, aware of the costs and issues associated with beach fires, and to let them know what the options are for regulating them.

In 2004, Parks did a substantial analysis of the issues surrounding beach fires after receiving a citation from the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency for allowing the burning of illegal fuels. Parks decided at that time, with the support of the Park Board, to continue them with some education and regulation.

The Parks Department continues to receive a steady trickle of complaints about associated behaviors - drinking, loud music, and huge amounts of trash, and continues to have concerns about the costs of managing the program.