With just a month until the total solar eclipse sweeps across the continental United States from sea to shining sea, those living within the path of totality are making final preparations for an influx of visitors looking for the best viewing experience. One such community is the high-desert town of Madras in Central Oregon. The county seat, with a population of just over 6,700, has been identified by astronomers as perhaps the best place among the cities in the path of the moon’s shadow to watch the event, with totality lasting just over two minutes there. Sited on a high plateau with pristine air and ideal weather conditions (barring smoke from wildfires — I’ll return to that issue later), it offers unobstructed views with a backdrop of snowcapped mountains.

The residents of Madras have been prepping for over two years for what has been estimated to be an onslaught of up to 100,000 visitors. They’ve got a website and Facebook page devoted to all things eclipse. Local farmers and landowners have converted open fields to campgrounds, and residents in surrounding towns such as Bend and Prineville found their offerings on sites such as Airbnb were snatched up almost instantly. Hotels were booked up more than a year ago. Some estimates state all of Central Oregon could see nearly one million visitors, and the Oregon Department of Transportation predicts the event will result in “the biggest traffic event in Oregon history.” The local hospitals have been stockpiling medical supplies and have told employees scheduled to work over the days surrounding the event to plan on sleeping on site rather than trying to get to and from work in the expected traffic.

And the roads won’t be the only infrastructure clogged with traffic. Regional airports throughout the state are reporting their parking spaces are booked for private pilots flying in to view the eclipse, and the Bend and Madras airports have contracted with private companies to bring in additional air traffic controllers to help during that period. Small plane rentals are all booked, as well, with most pilots planning on flying in to the area and landing to watch the eclipse, but others plan to take it all in from the air — an awesome view, I expect!

There is much excitement, and many events — from music festivals to air shows — are scheduled around this astronomic spectacle. Speaking with friends and relatives who live in Central Oregon, though, I am aware that beyond the issues of having enough food, gas, cash, water and medical supplies on hand and dealing with heavy traffic, there is another, very grave concern. During the time of year when fire danger levels are already at “extreme,” hundreds of thousands of people, unfamiliar with the area, will flood the region. It would only take one to inadvertently start a wildfire through careless smoking, use of fireworks or just parking a vehicle on dry vegetation. 

Me? As thrilling as it would be to view the eclipse in its totality, I’ll stay at home, don my special glasses to view the partial eclipse from my backyard and keep one eye on the TV screen to watch the moon’s shadow race across my state. How about you? Any special plans for the big event?

— Patty Vanikiotis, associate editor/copy editor