Bass Lake fireworks show back on after missing last year

BASS LAKE, Calif. (KFSN) -- The 4th of July is just a week away and many lake communities are gearing up for visitors.

At Bass Lake, the water levels are high again after nearly five years of drought and the fireworks show is back.

The extremely dry conditions forced leaders in the Madera County community to cancel the lake's popular fireworks show last year but this year the show is back on.

"Because a lot of people will bring their own if there is no show," Bass Lake Chamber of Commerce president Leslie Cox explained. "And so we just figured if we have a show then we'll provide the entertainment and nobody needs to bring illegal fireworks and get into trouble."

Cox is also a Bass Lake business owner and she says after meeting with fire and forest officials, they all decided having a fireworks show in a controlled environment is the best option. But a number of restrictions will still be in place.

"Parking is going to be limited," she said. "The viewing is going to be limited unless you are on a boat or have a cabin rented or a place to stay, it is going to be difficult to find a place to watch the show from."

There's limited access to certain overnight and day campgrounds along with parking areas due to the bark beetle that's killing thousands of trees in the Sierra.

Cal Fire has been working for several months to cut down the dead trees and the dry vegetation could impact those who plan to have a campfire or barbeque using charcoal, sawdust or wood chips.

If restrictions are put into place there are options.

"Because, typically, even when we go into fire restrictions if they are in developed recreation site they can use that propane barbeque because the clearance has been done around the facilities there," Michelle Feuerstein with the Sierra National Forest service explained.

The Chamber of Commerce wants to remind visitors that they cannot bring their own fireworks. They could face citations and fines if caught.