Burnet law enforcement anticipates total solar eclipse chaser influx

• From the impact of the eclipse to recent crime statistics, Burnet Police Chief Brian Lee and his police force are keeping close watch on the community. Raymond V. Whelan/Bulletin

According to the recent U.S. Census, the population of Burnet tallies than 6,400. However, by noon, Monday, April 8, 2024, it may swell to more than six times its normal size.

Only a little more than two months from today, many experts predict Burnet will become the primary location for thousands to see one spectacular astronomical happening – the rare total solar eclipse of the sun.

“We anticipate a significant population increase at that time,” Burnet Police Chief Brian Lee told the Bulletin last week. “From the end of March,

we will probably see 7 to

Police… 10 days of a substantial number of more visitors in our city.”

The phrase “total solar eclipse” describes the flight path of the moon as it orbits between Earth and the sun, to the point where the lunar mass casts one galactic shadow over Earth for several minutes.

Indeed, around 12:17 p.m. Burnet time, as the moon begins to move between Earth and the sun, in subtle fashion, the sun will begin to alter its customary fire ball appearance to a more crescent shape – looking quite like a tender ear – growing progressively thin as the moon continues to shift over Earth.

By 1:35 p.m. the moon will block the sun completely. During that “totality” phase of the eclipse, witnesses in Burnet may experience near darkness or else streaks of shimmering moonlight above their heads for several minutes.

To be sure, witnesses must wear special sunglasses during the eclipse to prohibit high radiation and reflection from damaging their eyesight.

Many scientists believe Burnet will be the best location to experience the awesome phenomenon. As such, the number of residents and visitors in the Burnet may equal more than 40,000, about the size of Ft. Hood.

“We are going to see a huge influx of people,” Lee said.

Even so, the chief predicted all city of Burnet and Burnet County first responders will be very well prepared to assist huge crowds as required.

“I am confident we will be fine,” Lee said. “We are very comfortable where we are now with our (eclipse) planning. We plan to work side-by-side. I think we will have a good plan in place.”

Indeed, Lee possesses previous experience with total solar eclipse management.

Huge crowds flocked to Boise, Idaho when the last total solar eclipse occurred there seven years ago. At that time, Lee was the Boise police department captain.

“I have been through it (a total solar eclipse) before,” Lee said. “I have seen what can happen, and the crowd it can draw.”

During the moment in Boise when the moon had moved totally between Earth and the sun, the outdoor temperature dropped 15 degrees “instantly,” Lee recalled.

“It was eerie,” he added. “It was the craziest thing.”

Also during the 2017 eclipse, Lee noticed, several rural Idahoans found ways to astutely accommodate the sudden rush of visitors to their area by arranging for them an ample amount of space to enjoy the astral event.

For example, he recalled seeing many farmers near Boise putting aside several acres of empty alfalfa fields and filling them “full of people.”

Indeed, Lee added, he has observed several local residents may offer visitors to the April 2024 eclipse in Burnet various “vacation rentals by owner” spots and other temporary lodging space for thousands of dollars.

“It is the American way,” Lee quipped.

More seriously, as Burnet residents cope with massive numbers of people, they will face tremendous traffic challenges and difficult cell phone communication during the eclipse, the chief said.

“Driving your car and cell phone service could be very difficult once we have 30,000 people or more in town,” Lee said. “We will ask people to be patient because of so many visitors.”

As usual, during the eclipse revelry, people should be careful to lock all of their doors to protect their valuables and prevent theft, Lee said.

It is a very safe, simple and personal cautionary maneuver that can go a long way to prevent “opportunistic crime” during the eclipse event, he added.

“Historically in April, we have good weather here,” he said. “I anticipate good weather during the eclipse, and it will be a fantastic event.”