Volcano Views and Brews

The Mount St. Helens Institute Presents:   A Special Volcano Views and Brews   co-hosted by the City of Vancouver's Water Resources Education Center         Major Dynamic Floods in the Portland-Vancouver Area  Missoula Floods, Vanport Flood of 1948, and the 1996 Flood    with Portland State University Geology Professor Emeritus    Dr. Scott Burns   *Special Location - Water Resouces Education Center* **note this is the only Views and Brews in February**     This unique event celebrates the Institute's and Water Resouces Education Center's shared 20th anniversaries and remembers the historic flood of 1996 that occurred mere weeks before the Water Center's opening! Attendees are also encourage to view the Vanport and Columbia River floods exhibit on the first floor of the Water Center. Food and beverages (non-alcoholic and beer) will be available for purchase.   Lecture Description   The Portland-Vancouver area has been shaped by many floods over several million years. The majority of the landforms were formed in a series of 40 floods that brought water into the area at velocities over 50 mph and shaped the area. Major erosional valleys, pendant bars of sediments, and deposits owe their origin to these floods called the Missoula Floods. Much of the talk will be about these events which are some of the greatest geological happenings in North America's history. In 1948, an incredible flood caused the flooding of Oregon's second largest city, Vanport, which was in the Columbia River Flood Plain. And finally, in 1996, the area had another rain on snow event that caused a huge set of floods in the area. Come hear Prof. Scott Burns of Portland State University talk about these three major floods.   Scott Burns Biography   Scott is a Professor Emeritus of Geology and Past-Chair of the Dept. of Geology at Portland State University where he just finished his 25th year of teaching. He was also Associate Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at P.S.U. from 1997-1999. He has been teaching for 45 years, with past positions in Switzerland, New Zealand, Washington, Colorado and Louisiana. He is a 6th generation Oregonian who grew up in Beaverton. Scott specializes in environmental and engineering geology, geomorphology, soils, and Quaternary geology. In Oregon, he has assisted with projects involving landslides and land use, environmental cleanup of service stations, slope stability, earthquake hazard mapping, Missoula Floods, paleosols, loess soil stratigraphy, radon generation from soils, the distribution of heavy metals and trace elements in Oregon soils and alpine soil development. He has been active in mapping landslides in the Pacific Northwest since his return to Portland. He has authored over 100 publications, including "Cataclysms on the Columbia, the Great Missoula Floods." He is also well known for his long history studying wine and terroir - the relationship between wine, soils, geology and climate.     Upcoming Events   March   Vancouver and Longview- "Eruption:  The Untold Story of Mount St. Helens"  with author Steve Olson.   Portland- TBA     About Volcano Views and Brews   This popular lecture series about volcanic topics began in 2007 and continues every month. Fascinating topics, lively speakers as well as excellent food and libations make for an enjoyable and horizon-widening evening.   When and Where   Special Location!   Tuesday, February 16 Water Resources Education Center 4600 SE Columbia Way Vancouver, WA    $5 suggested donation    Doors at 5:00pm, presentation at 6:30pm   Food and beverages (non-alcoholic and beer) will be available for purchase   All ages welcome    How much?   The $5 suggested donation  allows us to offer these talks!     The Mount St. Helens Institute is dedicated to advancing the understanding and stewardship of the earth through science, education and exploration of volcanic landscapes.   The Mount St. Helens Institute is proud to operate under a special use permit from the US Forest Service and is a equal opportunity education provider.   Quick Links   Our Website   Become a Member   Contact Us       Stay Connected

Fire Safety

Most home fires occur in the kitchen while cooking and are the leading cause of injuries from fire. Common causes of fires at night are carelessly discarded cigarettes, sparks from fireplaces without spark screens or glass doors, and heating appliances left too close to furniture or other combustibles. These fires can be particularly dangerous because they may smolder for a long period before being discovered by sleeping residents.
Home fires are preventable! The following are simple steps that each of us can take to prevent a tragedy.
Cooking

• Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.
• Wear short, close-fitting or tightly rolled sleeves when cooking.
• Do not cook if you are sleepy, have been drinking alcohol, or have taken medicine that makes you drowsy.
• Keep children away from cooking areas by enforcing a "kid-free zone" of 3 feet around the stove.
• Position barbecue grills at least 10 feet away from siding and deck railings, and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.

Smoking

• If you smoke, smoke outside. Most home fires caused by smoking materials start inside the home. Put your cigarettes out in a can filled with sand.
• Make sure cigarettes and ashes are out. The cigarette really needs to be completely stubbed out in an ashtray. Soak cigarette butts and ashes in water before throwing them away. Never toss hot cigarette butts or ashes in the trash can.
• Check for cigarette butts. Chairs and sofas catch on fire fast and burn fast. Don't put ashtrays on them. If people have been smoking in the home, check for cigarettes under cushions.
• Never smoke in a home where oxygen is used, even if it is turned off. Oxygen can be explosive and makes fire burn hotter and faster.
• Be alert - don’t smoke in bed! If you are sleepy, have been drinking, or have taken medicine that makes you drowsy, put your cigarette out first.

Electrical and Appliance Safety

• Frayed wires can cause fires. Replace all worn, old or damaged appliance cords immediately and do not run cords under rugs or furniture.
• Buy electrical products evaluated by a nationally recognized laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL).
• If an appliance has a three-prong plug, use it only in a three-slot outlet. Never force it to fit into a two-slot outlet or extension cord.
• Use electrical extension cords wisely; never overload extension cords or wall sockets.
• Immediately shut off, then professionally replace, light switches that are hot to the touch and lights that flicker.

Portable Space Heaters

• Keep combustible objects at least three feet away from portable heating devices.
• Buy only heaters evaluated by a nationally recognized laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL).
• Check to make the portable heater has a thermostat control mechanism, and will switch off automatically if the heater falls over.
• Check with your local fire department on the legality of kerosene heater use in your community.
• Only use crystal clear K-1 kerosene in kerosene heaters. Never overfill it. Use the heater in a well-ventilated room.

Fireplaces and Woodstoves

• Inspect and clean woodstove pipes and chimneys annually and check monthly for damage or obstructions.
• Never burn trash, paper, or green wood.
• Use a fireplace screen heavy enough to stop rolling logs and big enough to cover the entire opening of the fireplace to catch flying sparks.
• Make sure the fire is completely out before leaving the house or going to bed.
• Store cooled ashes in a tightly sealed metal container outside the home.

Children

• Take the mystery out of fire play by teaching children that fire is a tool, not a toy.
• Store matches and lighters out of children's reach and sight, preferably in a locked cabinet.
• Teach children not to pick up matches or lighters they may find. Instead, they should tell an adult immediately.
• Never leave children unattended near operating stoves or burning candles, even for a short time.
• Check under beds and in closets for burned matches, evidence your child may be playing with fire.