Drought Forcing a Change to 4th of July Fireworks Tradition at Bass Lake

The Bass Lake community is already planning their 4th of July celebration, but another dry year and the high fire danger is causing them to change a tradition on the lake.

Instead of a firework show, they’ll have a laser light show on the lake for the first time.

Dry conditions increase the risk for wildfires, so this year, the Bass Lake community won’t risk having a fireworks show.

At Bass Lake, the drought is taking its toll. Water levels are at about 60 percent of the lake’s capacity.

"I’ve never seen it this low, actually," said Cheryl Dominici, a local resident.

It’s a sign of the times with all of California now in its fourth dry year.

"We’ve been coming here for like the past four or five years," said Lindsay Whitezell, a Bakersfield resident vacationing at Miller’s Landing. "It probably just gets a little bit lower every year. It’s definitely lower than it was last year when we were here."

At Miller’s Landing at Bass Lake, Michelle Miller is the owner. She’s also part of the Bass Lake Chamber of Commerce.

She said the chamber decided to replace the fireworks show with a laser show on the lake because of the high fire danger.

"We just felt this was definitely a little more mindful of the situation with our low water and just our drought in California, and some of our trees around the lake that are dying, so we decided to go the fireless route," Miller said.  

The wildfire danger is real in the mountain communities. Last year, the Courtney Fire destroyed 30 homes near Bass Lake.

"Pretty scary, so lasers will be great. We’re excited right?" said Angie Williams, a local resident.

"I think everybody will be looking forward to the lasers and not the fireworks," said Cindi Huff, Williams’ sister.

Thursday, Miller took the owners of the laser company, Nu-Salt Lasers, out on the lake to set plans in motion for the alternative 4th of July celebration.

"It’s probably going to be choreographed to music–lots of lights and colors," Miller said. "It should be something really exciting and new."

Locals are welcoming the idea of a fire-less show in these times where the drought has kept conditions dry and the fire danger high.

"It’s going to take many years for the trees to come back and the lake to be filled up again, so in the meantime, why not. And with music with it–it should be a lot of fun," Dominici said.

Friday night, the laser company will have a demo show on the lake.

The actual show will take place on the night of 4th of July and will be free to watch.