A sparsely populated county in the northeastern corner of California, which remarkably remained COVID-19-free until July 2020, is now gearing up for an unusual influx of tourists drawn by the upcoming annular solar eclipse.
Modoc County, boasting a population of 8,700 according to the 2020 census, anticipates a significant surge in its community as it sits directly on the trajectory of the forthcoming celestial spectacle scheduled for the morning of October 14.
Modoc County holds a unique distinction as the sole California county from which the celestial spectacle, where the moon interposes between the sun and Earth, forming a captivating “ring of fire,” can be entirely witnessed. Meanwhile, the San Francisco Bay Area is poised to experience a partial eclipse, ranging between 80% and 90% coverage.
The 2023 annular solar eclipse is set to traverse noth america, Central America, and venture into South America. In the United States, this extraordinary event kicks off at 9:13 a.m. in Oregon and gracefully concludes shortly after noon local time in Texas. The last annular eclipse graced the skies in 2012, while the last total solar eclipse, in which the moon completely obscures the sun, occurred in 2017.
In Modoc County, the focal point of cultural activity is Alturas, which serves as both the county seat and its sole incorporated city. Alturas has already witnessed a noticeable surge in demand for accommodations as the eclipse date draws near. unusual influx of tourists
Suzi Johnson, the spokesperson for the Modoc National Forest, remarked, “Everything is pretty much full. The hotels in the town are fully booked, and even Airbnbs and Hipcamps are in high demand. While our campgrounds are open, they are undoubtedly experiencing a surge in occupancy.”
Furthermore, Johnson noted that the county’s deer and waterfowl hunting seasons commenced earlier this month, adding an additional layer of activity to the region.