Tens of Thousands of people have to change their plans for next Monday’s solar eclipse because wildfire has closed some prime viewing sites in the Willamette National Forest.
As of Tuesday, the Forest Service has closed all trails south of Highway 242 into the Three Sisters Wilderness with the exception of Proxy Falls. The Obsidian Trailhead and the Obsidian Limited Entry Area are also closed. Portions of the Mount Jefferson Wilderness are also closed. There is a community meeting this evening (Wednesday) about the Jones Fire. It’s at the Lowell Fire Hall at 6 o’clock.
There are several major fires burning in the Willamette National Forest. The largest is the Whitewater Fire at more than 65-hundred acres.
The Forest Service has a special websitewith a guide to wildfire closures.