Sunday C.O. eclipse update: Traffic flowing, smoke blowing

Here’s the full Sunday eclipse-related information update from the Central Oregon Eclipse Joint Information Center:

Time of the eclipse (in Madras):

– Begins: 9:06 a.m.
– Total darkness begins (in Madras): 10:19 a.m.
– Total darkness lasts (in Madras): 2 minutes and 2 seconds

Information lines:

– General eclipse questions: 211
– General fire questions: 541-316-7711 or centralorfireinfo.blogspot.com
– Milli Fire: 541-316-7711
– Nena Springs Fire: 541-460-7525 or https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5489/

Madras plane crash update:

Jefferson County Sheriff Jim Adkins and his team completed the first steps of their investigation into the August 19 crash of a passenger plane crash near Willow Creek Canyon near the Madras Airport, and have now concluded that only one person, the pilot, was aboard the aircraft.

County officials had initially stated there were two people aboard the plane who did not survive the crash. Adkins said emergency personnel worked late into the night and made contact with owners of the downed plan and now are certain only one person was on board. The aircraft was completely destroyed and had been engulfed by fire.

Adkins said investigations and statements obtained from family and friends along with investigation on scene indicate the pilot was alone at the time of the crash. “A reservation tied to the plane for two persons to stay in the local area originally suggested that the pilot and a passenger were on board,” Adkins said. “After talking to a family member who had originally planned to make the trip, but changed plans, we can confirm there was just one person on the flight,” he added.

Adkins expressed appreciation to the Oregon State Police and Jefferson County Fire Department, BNSF Railroad and EMS personnel, along with local volunteers, who assisted at the crash site.

The investigation by federal aviation officials is ongoing.

Saturday highway traffic

ODOT reports that traffic on US Highway 97 northbound at Chemult was nearly triple that of the average Saturday in August 2016. US Highway 26 between Warm Spring and Madras had volume more than 50 percent above average for Saturdays in August 2016.

Traffic leaving Crook County

Traffic is expected to be heavy traveling west through Prineville beginning Monday after the eclipse, through Wednesday when the Symbiosis event concludes. County operations and law enforcement continue to work with county emergency management, fire and EMS as well as the road department and ODOT to mitigate the impact to local residents.

Milli Fire update:

There will be more smoke visible today as firefighters continue burn out operations to strengthen and connect fire lines. On Saturday, the fire grew on the east flank to the north and south as firefighters completed a fire line on the southeast corner of the fire to protect Whychus Creek and properties to the east and northeast. Heavy and lighter fuels on the north side of the fire were cleared with burn-out operations and heavy equipment, including masticators and dozers – those operations will continue today. Weather is expected to continue to be a challenge, with the possibility of wind driven embers igniting spot fires ahead of the main fire. The main focus will be to protect infrastructure, structures and other values by holding lines already constructed and building new ones.

Evacuations:

Level 3: The subdivisions of Crossroads, Edgington, Remuda, Wildwing and Peterson Burn roads area, and along both sides of Three Creeks Lake Road (Forest Road 16) about one mile south of Sisters from the junction of the Brooks Scanlon logging road; Level 1: The subdivision of Tollgate

Road closures:

OR242 east of Cascade Crest to the junction of Forest Road 15. For further information see www.tripcheck.com.

Forest closures:

There is an area closure in place in the Deschutes National Forest, due to fire activity. For more information: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/deschutes/alerts-notices

Nena Springs Fire update:

No news to report and no changes to the evacuation levels. Fire managers will review the risk levels and decided whether to reduce the evacuation levels later today. They are evaluating a possible burnout in the interior of the fire, which — if it occurs — will produce a visible column of smoke.

Oregon Department of Environmental Quality smoke/air quality report:

Central Oregon saw smoke and haze Sunday, with Sisters getting significant smoke from the Milli Fire. Sisters had hazardous air quality early Sunday morning and into the afternoon.

Madras and Bend both had moderate air quality, with some haze passing through the region. Prineville was smoke-free on Sunday.

Conditions can change rapidly and smoke is difficult to predict, though forecasters think air quality throughout Central Oregon should generally improve heading into the eclipse Monday. One exception could be Sisters, which can expect heavy smoke to linger due to the close proximity of the Milli Fire.

People who are sensitive to smoke, which includes children, the elderly and those with asthma, should remain indoors, where air quality is generally better than outside. When indoors, keep windows and doors closed if possible. When running air conditioners, keep the fresh air intake closed and the filter clean to prevent outdoor smoke from getting inside.

People should also consider taking the following precautions:

Be aware of smoke concentrations in your area and avoid the
places with highest concentrations.
Avoid strenuous outdoor activity in smoky conditions.
If you have heart disease, asthma or other respiratory ailments, or
are over 65, you have a higher risk of illness from wildfire smoke.
Be aware of smoke concentrations in your area and avoid the
Small children and pregnant women are also at increased risk.
People suffering from asthma or other respiratory problems should
follow their breathing management plans or contact their healthcare
providers.

Eyewear:

Viewing an eclipse requires proper eye protection at all times. For more information on NASA approved eclipse safety glasses visit https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/safety)

About the Multi-Agency Coordination Center (MACC)
Agency partners from Crook, Deschutes and Jefferson counties have come together as a Multi-Agency Coordination Center (MACC) to work across jurisdictional lines. This includes ensuring agencies have timely information and that resources are allocated appropriately to mitigate the impacts of the large influx in population.

About the Central Oregon Eclipse Joint Information Center
The JIC is staffed by public information officers from MACC agencies to provide consistent, coordinated information to the media and to Central Oregon visitors and residents. The JIC helps media, travelers and the general public with timely access to information that will allow them to make decisions in support of a safe and enjoyable experience.

Accommodation Information for People with Disabilities
To obtain this information in an alternate format such as Braille, large print, electronic formats, etc. please contact COEIN at 541-550-4888 or centraloregoninfo@gmail.com.