News from the Oregon Hazards Lab

The March 2025 Oregon Hazards Lab newsletter is here! We share the impacts of wildfire cameras on the Los Angeles Fires, recap ShakeAlert performance during the December offshore Cape Mendocino earthquake, and share our plans for the 2025 field season. We also share more information about HB 3219, proposed state legislation that would make OHAZ a state program, and how you can advocate for our work with your state representative!

The Oregon State Legislature is considering a bill that would establish OHAZ as a state program. If passed, House Bill 3219 would provide stable, long-term funding so OHAZ can continue its vital work protecting communities from natural disasters. By supporting this bill, state legislators can help strengthen Oregon’s resilience against earthquakes and wildfires. Urge your state representatives to vote in favor of House Bill 3219.

Sometimes wildfires spark far from the nearest wildfire camera, making it hard for firefighters to monitor the blaze. To help solve this challenge, the Oregon Hazards Lab is designing a new mobile camera kit that can be rapidly deployed in response to new ignitions. This project was made possible by a donation from the Roundhouse Foundation.

On January 26, 1700, a massive earthquake erupted along the Cascadia Subduction Zone off the West Coast of the United States. It’s now 325 years later, and earthquake scientists say we’re overdue for another similarly large quake to hit the Pacific Northwest. At the University of Oregon, researchers are working from many angles to make sure people across the Cascadia region are as prepared as possible.

January 26 is the 325th anniversary of the last Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake. Join us at the Art House to watch Rumblings, a documentary that explores the threat of another large earthquake and Oregon’s extensive preparations. The screening will be followed by a discussion with the director and earthquake preparedness specialists.

Visit the Art House website to reserve tickets for Rumblings: Preparing for Cascadia on January 26 at 2pm. Tickets are free, with a limit of two tickets per transaction. Please plan to arrive early — any unredeemed advance tickets will be released at 2pm. A panel discussion will follow the documentary screening.