California County Prepares for Rare Solar Eclipse Event
Alturas, California, is gearing up for a rare celestial event as it prepares to host the 2023 annular solar eclipse. This event, where the moon passes between the sun and Earth to create a “ring of fire,” will be fully visible only in Modoc County, making it a must-see attraction for astronomy enthusiasts.
The San Francisco Bay Area, although not in the direct path of the eclipse, is expected to witness between 80% and 90% of the phenomenon. However, Alturas is the only California county where the eclipse will be fully visible, leading to an overt demand for accommodations.
Suzi Johnson, spokesperson for the Modoc National Forest, confirmed that hotels, Airbnbs, and campgrounds have already experienced high occupancy rates. “Everything is pretty much full. The hotels in the town are full and even Airbnbs and Hipcamps. Our campgrounds are open, but I’m sure they’re busy and full,” Johnson stated.
The booming tourism demand coincides with Modoc County’s deer and waterfowl hunting seasons, which started this month. Visitors are advised to wear bright clothing and be mindful of hunters while exploring the national forest.
The excitement surrounding the eclipse has caught the attention of local business owners in Alturas. The Fort Bidwell Hotel, located northeast of Alturas, has been fully booked since January, according to Assistant Manager Krystal Whittaker. The Super 8 on Main Street in Alturas has also experienced an unexpected surge in room bookings. General Manager Jimmy Jarrett said, “It seems like people slept on it and then, out of the blue, one day, people just started booking. We had 31 people book in the span of 24 hours. That’s not normal for us.”
Jarrett noted that initially, it appeared the tourism industry in Alturas was unaware of the potential economic benefits of the eclipse. However, plans are now underway to capitalize on the influx of visitors. The Modoc National Forest & Friends is hosting an eclipse viewing event at the Alturas Rotary Fields, featuring a barbecue the night before and a pancake breakfast on the day of the eclipse.
The partial eclipse will begin just after 8 a.m. on October 14, and the maximum point of the eclipse, known as annularity, starts at around 9:19 a.m. It is expected to last for two minutes. Despite Alturas being a county with a population of approximately 9,000, Jarrett predicts that there will be more visitors than residents during the eclipse. “It’s going to be something else,” he added.
As the 2023 annular solar eclipse approaches, Alturas is getting ready to welcome eager eclipse enthusiasts from across the country and provide them with a memorable experience of this rare celestial event.