Welcome to the Oregon Hazards Lab
Using Science, Technology, and Community Engagement to Understand, Detect, and Mitigate Multi-Hazards within the Pacific Northwest
223+
Seismic Monitoring Stations
63+
Wildfire Detection Cameras
$22M+
Funding Since 2020
2018
Year OHAZ Was Founded
28
OHAZ Staff
8
Student Researchers
The Oregon Hazards Lab is a research lab within the University of Oregon's Department of Earth Sciences. We currently partner in these efforts:
Pacific Northwest Seismic Network
Along with the U.S. Geological Survey and the University of Washington, we monitor ground motion to better understand earthquake and volcano hazards and their impacts on communities in Oregon and Washington.
ShakeAlert® Earthquake Early Warning System
Since 2014, the Oregon Hazards Lab has been an instrumental partner in building and promoting the U.S. Geological Survey’s earthquake early warning system.
Wildfire Detection Cameras
With hundreds of mountaintop cameras installed throughout the western United States, this high-speed wildfire detection network provides firefighters and first responders a new way to spot and track wildfires.
Wildfire Smoke Sensors
As part of a partnership with the Department of Homeland Security, we deployed 30 smoke sensors across Western Oregon in 2023 and tested their effectiveness at detecting emerging wildfires.
Sage Continuum
We are building a continent-spanning network of smart sensors to improve the flow of information between scientists and the natural world.
Willamette Watershed Project
The Oregon Hazards Lab is developing resilient communications infrastructure for the Santiam, Sisters, and McKenzie River corridors that will support a natural disaster monitoring and alerting network.
News from the Oregon Hazards Lab
Wildfire Detection Camera Installed in McKenzie River Valley
Local officials installed a new wildfire detection camera from the Oregon Hazards Lab on one of the highest ridges in the McKenzie River Valley as part of wildfire prevention efforts across central and southern Oregon.
New Committee Established to Improve Wildfire Detection Technology
Governor Kate Brown created a new committee this year to create a coordinated statewide approach to wildfire detection camera networks. This committee will ensure that camera systems operated by the Oregon Department of Forestry, utilities, and and the Oregon Hazards Lab at University of Oregon are integrated and interoperable.
Legislative Funding Will Help Expand Wildfire Detection System in Oregon
A network of wildfire detection cameras is set to expand in Oregon after state lawmakers approved a boost in funding for the project in early March. There are hundreds of them in California, but only a couple of dozen so far in Oregon. Lawmakers approved $4.5 million to add more cameras.