Long gas lines in C.O., some outages as eclipse approaches

Central Oregon eclipse preparations are well underway. Many people have been gearing up for the eclipse by fueling up. And with some gas stations starting to run out of fuel, all are working hard to make sure that there is enough gas in the area to go around.

Chris Huiard, retail manager of Space Age Fuels, is one of those suppliers that is hoping his trucks will still be able to make it over the Cascades to Central Oregon throughout the weekend.

“Our plan is to take it day by day. We are going to be checking our inventory level at he stations we have,” Huiard said Wednesday. “We have one in Bend and one in Sisters, so we’ll be checking that inventory every morning and trying to figure out how much fuel we need to get down there.”

Some gas stations around Central Oregon ran out of fuel as the day went on.

In Bend, the Chevron off of College Way ran out of fuel on Wednesday morning. Conoco on Third Street ran out Wednesday but expected an overnight delivery.

Prineville saw Chevron and Cross street Station run out of gas in the afternoon.

Fred Meyer in Bend had four deliveries made on Wednesday and hopes that it will be enough, as the fueling station was jam-packed all day.

Drivers there said they waited in line for about 10 to 30 minutes.

Bend resident Clifford Mitchell, who was waiting in line to buy gas, said he was trying to be patient and keep everything in perspective during this busy time.

“I was shopping and I saw the lines. I want gas, it’s part of the deal,” Mitchell said.

Gas suppliers said they are hoping that they will be able to make deliveries as planned through the weekend.

They said they will be checking traffic reports before sending out drivers, to make sure conditions are safe before going out on a delivery.