BASS LAKE — The on-again, off-again fireworks show at Bass Lake may be on again.
Although Supervisor Tom Wheeler and Undersheriff Tyson Pogue said Wednesday during a virtual Town Hall meeting that the fireworks show had to be cancelled because of COVID-19 — and crowd — concerns, Robert Macaulay, Wheeler’s chief of staff, clarified the situation on Thursday.
“Members of the Bass Lake Chamber are still trying to figure out a way to make the fireworks work safely,” Macaulay reported. “Their membership actually voted to proceed with planning yesterday after their board decided not to proceed.”
So the drama surrounding this year’s July 4th show at Bass Lake continues.
“We have been in communication with the Chamber about creating a plan to prevent crowding and allow for social distancing,” Macaulay added. “The fireworks show is something that most would like to see go on safely — if that is even possible.”
No word yet from organizers about when a “final” decision will be made.
Pandemic or no pandemic, as Independence Day approaches, authorities are still reminding residents that aside from sanctioned shows like the one at Bass Lake, where operators must get permits from the County, all other types of fireworks — even “safe and sane” ones — are prohibited at Bass Lake and throughout all of the surrounding mountain areas.
“You can’t just go out into your front yard and shoot off a bunch of fireworks,” Supervisor Tom Wheeler said Wednesday during a virtual Town Hall. At the same meeting, Wheeler urged area resident to “harden” their properties with the approach of the 2020 fire season.
*Sierra News Online will update this story when more information about the fireworks show becomes available.
