Oregon, C.O. eclipse officials: Stay longer, avoid congestion
What an amazing sight! #OREclipse was a huge success! Our thanks to Mother Nature for a most incredible total solar eclipse in Oregon — and for giving us clear skies over much of the viewing area.
Here’s the rest of Monday’s update from the Oregon Office of Emergency Management:
Working with our local, state and federal partners, as well as the media and the general public, got the word out about arriving early. People had little trouble getting to their eclipse viewing spots — and overall had an excellent experience.
OEM, state, county and tribal agencies thank our media partners for helping share our preparedness messaging. We stressed the importance of safe travel, of preparing for delays, having adequate supplies, being mindful of fire dangers, and eclipse watchers did just that..
By being prepared and heeding requests to stay off the road, Oregonians made it possible for the state to sustain a substantial out-of-state and international visitor presence safely– while also managing a large number of seasonal wildfires during an extremely dry summer.
We now encourage our eclipse visitors to stick around and enjoy everything our beautiful state and its communities have to offer. Oregon has abundant natural and cultural wonders to see. No glasses needed! From the Oregon Coast to the Snake River, there are millions of acres of public lands for you to explore. Stay awhile and visit recreation.gov and TravelOregon.com. .
We’re seeing many eclipse viewers get on the roads now that the event is over. As a result there is heavy traffic congestion and slow going in parts of Oregon. If you must travel today, please plan your trip — and be prepared to wait. If you’re already home in Oregon, it might be best to stay put for a while. Be patient in traffic and, regardless of when you travel, ensure you have plenty of water, nonperishable foods and an emergency kit — just in case traffic slows to a crawl in your area. Visit ODOT’s Trip Check web page at TripCheck.com — and check your entire route to make sure traffic is flowing before you head out.
Oregon’s 211 information line and website at 211info.org continues to be the best source of information for Eclipse-related questions or concerns. Call 211 or go to 211info.org for answers to questions or to find help links to eclipse-related information.
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And here’s the update from the Central Oregon Joint Information Center
Monday, August 21, 2017, 1:30 p.m. UPDATE (last daily update from the JIC)
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/
Monday highway traffic
Everyone is leaving! Check Tripcheck.com and 511 for updates. We are updating social media every hour.
211 Calls, texts and web visits
211info reports it received more than 2,000 phone calls and text messages and 4,000 web visits from residents and visitors seeking information about the eclipse. 211info will continue assisting with eclipse questions through Wednesday.
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality smoke/air quality report:
Most of Central Oregon had clear skies and good air quality Monday morning for the eclipse. Prineville, Redmond, Madras and Bend all had good air quality. The exception was in Sisters, which continues to have periods of hazardous air quality due to smoke from the nearby Milli Fire.
For more information: http://oregonsmoke.blogspot.com/
Milli Fire update:
The fire is now 10,496 acres. Most of the growth is into the wilderness. Fire crews are strengthening control lines. No structures have been destroyed. No changes in the evacuation levels. Highway 242 remains closed.
Another community meeting is planned at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Sisters High School.
