Home Page

News For the Community

Contact:    Chris Strebig   360-891-5005                                                                                                             May 11, 2012

                    Ken Sandusky 360-891-5007

Avalanche Danger on Mount St. Helens Very High

VANCOUVER, WA – Avalanche danger on Mount St. Helens is very high right now according to http://www.nwac.us/weatherdata/mtsthelens/now/.

Climbers are cautioned to prepare for extreme avalanche conditions. Climbers wanting to avoid the potential risks will be refunded the climbing permit fee. To request a refund, please call 360-449-7800 or stop into Monument Headquarters in Amboy, Wash. before climbing.

“A climbing ranger will be on the mountain to update climbers and warn climbers as to the dangers involved,” said Monument Manager, Tom Mulder. Signs sharing this information will also be posted at strategic sites including the Climbing Register at Lone Fire Resort and Marble Mountain Sno-Park.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

News Release from: Cowlitz Co. Sheriff's Office
COWLITZ COUNTY SHERIFF MARK NELSON, GIVES WARNING TO BE CAREFUL AROUND COLD WATERS
Posted: May 2nd, 2012 2:21 PM

Kelso, WA-There are many things that warn us of danger; alarms, sirens, flashing lights, even someone yelling to get our attention. Consider this letter a warning; a way to avoid danger, even tragedy.
Hi! I'm Cowlitz County Sheriff Mark Nelson. The increased frequency of nice late spring weather, as well as the oncoming summer, brings out boaters, fishermen, and people anxious to enjoy the beautiful lakes and rivers that help make Cowlitz County such a beautiful place to live. 
However, along with the fun of our waters, come the associated dangers. Within the past few weeks, we have seen boats capsize; people fall overboard and a couple of neighboring counties have experienced drownings. WARNING! The glacier-fed waters are cold, really cold, and they can cause even a strong swimmer to become quickly incapacitated.
Over my career, I have had to pull far too many bodies out of our lakes and rivers. These were the bodies of folks who came to enjoy a relaxing, fun filled day at the beach, or on the water, and lost their lives; leaving devastated families and friends to deal with the aftermath of a pleasant day gone very, very wrong.
Just this past weekend, three boaters were tossed into the icy-cold waters of Merwin Lake when their boat capsized. Fortunate for them, since none of them were wearing personal floatation devices, nearby boaters were able to get to them before they succumbed to the debilitating cold water.
It works like this: you hit the water. The shock of the cold causes you to take a sharp, but shallow breath. The blood in your extremities immediately begins moving away from your limbs and into your body's core to help keep your internal organs warm. But that causes you to struggle to force your arms or legs to work. The shallow breath that you took in when you hit the water is not sufficient to provide adequate oxygen to your brain, much less the rest of your body, and you begin to flounder. Breathing is nearly impossible, except sharp, short gasps. In moments you find yourself slipping under the water, and there's nothing you can do about it. 
WARNING! Please wear a life jacket. Be responsible, not regretful. Set an example, and not statistics. Make sure young people with you wear a life jacket. Make sure you have a floatable ring or cushion to throw to someone who may be in the water and is in trouble. Have a lifeline with a loop on the end for someone to get at least an arm through, that they might be pulled to safety.
There won't likely be anyone to shout a warning to you before a disaster may strike, so please heed my WARNING and prepare. Our waters are beautiful, but can be very unfriendly to the unprepared. 
Be safe. Enjoy the beautiful recreation afforded us by the good Lord's creation, and let's all enjoy our waters without injury or loss of life this year.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

May is National Electrical Safety Month
Flipping a light switch. Plugging in a coffeemaker. Charging a laptop computer. These activities are second nature for most of us. Electrical appliances and devices make our lives easier. However, our trust in them should not be absolute. Keep your family safe and energized with NFPA's tip sheet, have yor children watch short cartoons of Dan Doofus learn about electrical and fire safety,  and more.

Read More

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fire Sprinklers Save Lives! Follow these links for more information: http://www.homefiresprinkler.org/