BY KAREN BOSSICK

If you’re planning to head to Redfish Lake for the eclipse, you could get turned away.

With 11 days until the eclipse, local law enforcement officials and Forest Service rangers briefed two packed audiences at the Community Library Wednesday on what they need to know about the Great American Eclipse, or what some locals are dubbing “the Apoc-eclipse.”

Here are the highlights:

HEADING NORTH?

If you have a reservation for camping or lodging at Redfish Lake, you’re in. But Forest Service employees will turn people back at the roundabout should the area reach capacity.

Sawtooth National Recreation Area rangers have designated eclipse viewing sites at Baker Creek and other sites along Highways 75 and 21 past Stanley. The idea is to give people a place to pull off the highway, park and watch the eclipse safely, then turn around and go home.

The SNRA is stationing 105 Porta-Potties at those sites and other sites, along with dumpsters. There will be food vendors at Stanley, which could see up to 30,000 eclipse watchers.

Reader boards will be stationed along the highway, as well.

If you’re stuck in a traffic jam, don’t pull off on the side of the road and start a grass fire.

The SNRA is bringing in extra staff that will be look for abandoned campfires. In addition, a Type 3 fire team will be ready to stand up and a helicopter will be in place behind SNRA headquarters in the event a wildfire breaks out.

Eighty-four Forest Service employees will patrol the backcountry from Thursday morning through Tuesday afternoon, reminding people of no trace camping. Dozens of volunteers will be assisting.

Stage 1 fire restrictions go into place a midnight Aug. 14, meaning no campfires outside fire rings provided by the government in paid campgrounds. It necessary, Stage 2 fire restrictions, which address things like smoking outside vehicles, will be enacted.

HOW TO GET AROUND:

If you’re working on Eclipse Day, leave early, suggests Ketchum Police Chief Dave Kassner.

“What’s early? Sunday would be good,” he added.

The best way to guarantee you’ll get to work on time is to bike. And, when it’s time to go home, you’ll be going downhill, he added.

Parking will be offered at the snow dump on Serenade Lane at Ketchum’s south side, as well as the Upper River Run parking lot. Shuttles will run from those sites to Festival Meadows and Sun Valley Village every 20 minutes, traffic permitting, said Jason Miller of Mountain Rides.

Mountain Rides will also offer a special dollar fare for its valley route to move eclipse watchers from Hailey and Bellevue to Ketchum. Go to www.mountainrides.org for more information.

Police will direct traffic, if it gets backed up at Sun Valley Road’s four-way stop. Ditto for First and River Streets at Ketchum’s Main Street and where Serenade Lane joins Highway 75 heading south out of Ketchum.

“We don’t want to stop traffic all the way up to Galena Summit because of the traffic merging into Serenade Lane,” said Kassner. “Expect gridlock. I don’t think the traffic will stop. I just think it’s going to get really, really slow.”

Locals should plan on leaving their car behind and biking or walking, as the streets are going to be crowded and it’s going to take awhile to get up valley

It could be even worse when the eclipse is over if everyone decides to leave at once, just like Wagon Days, noted Kassner.

You can monitor traffic, provided cell phones and Internet are working up to snuff, via the Idaho Transportation department’s web cams at http://lb.511.idaho.gov/idlb/cameras/routeselect.jsf?view=state&textOnly=false

BUY BEER NOW:

“The key is preparation. If you think you can go to Atkinsons’ the morning of the eclipse and buy beer and s’mores, it’s probably not going to happen,” said Sun Valley Mayor Peter Hendricks. “Buy beer early.”

It’s not that supermarkets will run out of food, but it could take forever to get to the supermarket and find a parking place.

Locals should plan on stocking up on food by Wednesday or Thursday before the eclipse, and they should plan on stocking up through the Tuesday after the eclipse.

Put aside a gallon of water a day per person if you’re camping, heading north or in the unlikely event the power goes out. And take plenty of water for your dog in case you get stuck in a traffic jam.

JUST HOW MANY ARE COMING?

The state of Idaho didn’t do any surveys so state officials have no idea how many people to expect. But the latest predictions are between 93,000 and 370,000 visitors across the state from Weiser to Rexburg.

The director of the Office of Emergency Management says that nearly every hotel and motel from Boise to Caldwell are booked, even though those towns are not in the line of totality.

“We’re just guessing how many are coming, how many busloads we’re going to get, how many people are camping out,” said Sun Valley Mayor Peter Everett.

SNRA Ranger Kirk Flannigan said the state of Oregon did do some surveys, which show some huge numbers for groups and individuals expected to show up for the eclipse.

And Friedman Airport Manager Chris Pomeroy told those at The Chamber’s Wake Up Hailey on Tuesday that the airport is expecting a lot of aircraft.

“Nearly everyone leaving the Allen & Company event said, “I’ll see you in a month,” he added.

IN THE AIR:

A lot of pilots plan on having their planes in the air during totality. But aircraft fighting fires could be grounded temporarily by the eclipse, thanks to rules regarding flying at twilight.

Stanley does not have aviation fuel, but there will be reserve gas there for emergency aircraft.

QUASHING THE RUMORS:

Highway 75 will not be closed at Timmerman Hill, despite rumors to that effect. No Forest Service Roads will be closed, except for those like Robinson Bar Ranch that were closed due to damage from spring floods.

And the bike path will not be closed, either, although it will be closed to all vehicles except emergency vehicles.

“One of our worries is that people will try to drive on the path,” said Ketchum Fire Chief Mike Elle.

IN AN EMERGENCY:

Ketchum Fire Chief Elle said emergency responders plan to rely on aircraft and motorcycles, as they may not be able to get ambulances and fire trucks through heavy traffic.

Ketchum Police Chief Dave Kassner said Ketchum will have extra patrol on duty Friday through Aug. 22. There also will be six extra sheriffs from other jurisdictions and eight state troopers stationed in Ketchum and Sun Valley.

The Blaine County Sheriff will have a command post at Smiley Creek, along with additional presence at Stanley Basin.

Fire Chief Mike Elle said two extra ambulances form out of area, along with extra aircraft in the air.

Figure out a Plan B for communications, in case cell phone and Internet is disrupted.

“God forbid someone decides to celebrate Totality with fireworks,” he added.

TAKE A DEEP BREATH AND ENJOY:

“The eclipse is such a great way to introduce a lot of people to our valley,” said Ketchum Police Chief Dave Kassner. “Unfortunately, all at the same time.”