What will the skies look like for Eclipse Monday?
That's the question a lot of people want to know. For now, the Oregon Office of Emergency Management says traffic was lighter than expected on Saturday—at least in part due to people heeding the suggestion to get where they're going early. Still, Monday traffic is expected to be heavy, so keep on keepin' on with that plan to arrive early, stay put and leave late.
In Prineville, near the site of the Oregon Eclipse Festival, officials are planning for heavy traffic following Monday's eclipse and through Wednesday, Aug. 23, and urge locals near Prineville to have supplies and gas stocked up before the festival goers begin to depart. Residents in Madras should do the same.
Milli Fire Near Sisters Prompts More Road Closures
Meanwhile, officials have expanded the closure of many roads in the Sisters Ranger District of the Deschutes National Forest, as the Milli Fire continues to move south and east. Residents in some communities near Sisters received a Level 3 "Go Now" evacuation notice Friday evening as the fire continued to burn. Officials said this morning to expect more smoke as firefighters continue to "burn out operations and connect fire lines."
Closures now include:
Black Crater Trail #4058, Millican Crater Trail #4066, Scott Pass Trail #4068, North Matthieu Lake Trail #4062, Trout Creek Tie Trail #4067, Millian Crater Trailhead, Scott Pass Trailhead, Whispering Pines Campground, Trout Creek Swamp, Sisters Cow Camp, Chush Falls Trail #4080, Pole Creek Trail #4072 & Trailhead, Metolius Windigo Trail #99 from the Highway 242 crossing to the trail junction with the FSR 4601, Whychus Overlook Trail, Whychus Creek Trail, Demaris Lake Trail #4074.1, Camp Lake Trail #4074, Park Meadow Trail #4075 & Trailhead, Three Creek Lake Campgrounds and associated trails, Tam McArthur Rim Trailhead, Peterson Ridge Trail System.
The Pacific Crest Trail closure remains in place beginning at Elk Lake and extending to Highway 242. Hikers are encouraged to get a ride north to Britenbush Lake, or take public transit north toward Government Camp near Mt. Hood.
Officials believe lightning started that fire, now at over 7,800 acres.
Nena Springs Fire Update
This morning, officials working the Nena Springs Fire near Warm Springs said the fire, at about 68,135 acres, is 40 percent contained. The fire is under investigation, but officials believe it to be human-caused.
"A taskforce of State Fire Marshal Engines and local firefighters had a successful night extinguishing hotspots and securing the South Junction/Culpus Bridge area. There was little fire activity overnight. While firefighters feel more comfortable making recommendations to reduce evacuation levels that are affecting the area, they will decide the timeline to implement the reduction later today," officials wrote on the Inciweb website this morning.
The Red Cross shelter at the Warm Springs Community Center remains open for anyone who needs help.
You can check the smoke conditions in Oregon at any time by visiting http://oregonsmoke.blogspot.com/
