Authorities take extra precautions for safe holiday at Bass Lake

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The Madera County Sheriff's Office is gearing up for one of the busiest holiday weekends at Bass Lake.

Higher water levels and the upcoming holiday can almost guarantee a busy weekend on the water.

"Heading into the holiday season it's pretty much all hands on deck," Cdr. Tyson Pogue of MCSO said.

A total of 8 deputies will be patrolling the water by boat and jet ski.

"Going into this year after 3 serious accidents were taking extra precaution," Pogue said. "Were spending more time educating public making a lot more contacts."

Over a 10-day span last boating season three accidents, two resulting in fatalities, shook the Bass Lake community.

The owners of Miller's Landing are taking a proactive approach to what they're calling their busiest time of year.

"We really want people to come have a good time and be safe," Miller's Landing manager Michelle Miller said. "And that's our renters out local homeowners and that's everyone. And its really important to us that everyone enjoys the day and is cautious."

Miller says this is their 35th season in business, and in response to last season's tragedies they've created a safety video they require all renters to watch.

"We felt like the video would be one extra step to really hit home the important rules of the lake and how to stay safe," she said.

That includes an enforced speed limit and required safety vests for children 12 and under as well as anyone being towed or on a personal watercraft.

"We do actually stress to the customer, we can't be putting on sunscreen now," Miller said. "This is an important time to listen carefully to this video for everyone's sake."

It gives those who frequent the lake reassurance and those who don't a better understanding of water safety.

"We do our best to make sure everyone gets a rule pamphlets and everyone's expected to know the rules to be out on the lake," Pogue said.

With the added enforcement the Madera County Sheriff's Office is hoping everyone will be safe this holiday weekend.