Will Walton Commissioners End Wood Bonfires on the Beach?
Will Walton Commissioners End Wood Bonfires on the Beach? Steven Saul December 1, 2025 10:07 am 30a, South Walton, Walton County In Brief: Bonfire Debate Heats Up: Walton County officials discuss banning wood fires due to safety and debris, but propose options including propane-only and hybrid models, with input from fire marshals and vendors. Public Input and Decisions: Commissioners consider surveys showing preference for wood bonfires, suggest app tracking and higher permits for compliance, and unanimously approve all three bonfire types. Tent Regulations Tightened: Code Enforcement enforces 10×10 foot tent limits to combat overcrowding, clarifies umbrellas are exempt, and explores categorizing beaches for further restrictions. The Walton County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) spent a good deal of time this week in a “heated discussion” over beach bonfires. Code Enforcement brought up bonfires at the Walton County Commission meeting due to safety concerns and the residue that can remain on the beach after the embers cool. Over the last quarter, Walton County Code Enforcement has held meetings and made presentations that initially supported a ban on all wood fires on the beach. Code Enforcement brought up this solution as a way to reduce calls about burn waste on the beach. At every meeting concerning the wood-burning bonfire ban, South Walton Fire District Fire Marshal Sammy Sanchez indicated that moving to a “propane-only” bonfire option would provide a cleaner, smokeless environment and reduce potential debris from evening beach fires. At earlier meetings, it appeared that wood-burning bonfires might be dead ‘at’...
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