Oregon Eclipse Update: Light Traffic so Far, Remember to Use 211
(SALEM, Ore.) — We are just two days away from Monday's Eclipse. Priorities among residents and visitors are related to traffic conditions, wildfires and smoke and how they are affecting travel. The Oregon Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is working with our partner agencies from around the state to provide regular updates.
Saturday saw lighter traffic than expected and travelers were urged to start heading to their destinations if they were able and had a place to stay. Traffic is expected to increase leading up to Monday's event. The best advice is: Arrive early, stay put and leave late! Visit the Oregon Department of Transportation's Tripcheck.com for the most up-to-date traffic issues.
OEM has activated its Emergency Coordination Center in order to coordinate the response to the growing number of wildfires in the state. Traveler's should take precautions and know before you go. That means knowing any wildfire conditions in your area and heeding any evacuation notices from local officials. This information can be obtained by using OEM's RAPTOR tool at www.tinyURL.com/OregonRaptor or the Oregon Forestry Department's website tinyurl.com/oregonfirerestrictions.
It's important to remember that if a gas station runs out of fuel, it is only a temporary situation. The Oregon Department of Energy assures us that fuel trucks are making deliveries around the clock. Should you encounter a fuel shortage at an area gas station, consider visiting another fuel station or return to the station that was out of fuel at a later time.
Since smoke from wildfires varies by time and location, we recommend residents and visitors visit www.oregonsmoke.blogspot.com for the best and latest information about smoke conditions in your area. This web page is our multiagency site for communicating smoke information to the public. Some people -- such as those with chronic heart or lung disease, children and the elderly -- may experience health effects when the air is unhealthy. It is important to take precautions based on your individual health and the smoke levels around you.
It is vital that you use proper eye protection if you are planning to view the eclipse. If you have trouble purchasing certified eclipse safety glasses there is a simple way to make your own pinhole projector to view the eclipse. Visit the OEM Facebook page for a link to instructions on how to make a pinhole projector. That page is www.facebook.com/OMDOEM.
Please ensure that you know who to call and when. For transportation information call 511; for tourism information call 800-547-7842; for emergencies call 911 and for general information call 211 or visit 211.org. The 211.org page is a one-stop location for links to valuable information that can help travelers have a safe and enjoyable Oregon eclipse experience.
Source: Oregon Office of Emergency Management
