This caught my eye because geologically speaking when a hot springs heats up to the point of scalding people it can be a precursor to a significant geological event. I just hope they keep an eye on the area and watch it pretty closely. [img]eek.gif[/img]
Three scalded at Clackamas Co. hot springs
06:53 PM PDT on Sunday, September 7, 2008
By ADRIANE HORNER, kgw.com Staff
Three people were severely burned over the weekend while soaking in the Austin Hot Springs in Clackamas County.
Three people were injured by scalding water at the Austin Hot Springs in Clackamas County.
Detective Jim Strovink with the Clackamas County Sheriff’s office said the burn victims were reported to be two women and a four-year-old child.
The victims appeared to be injured in three separate incidents but all the injuries occurred over the past weekend, within a 24-hour period.
The Austin Hot Springs are located about 37 miles southeast of Estacada along highway 224 in an area that is not closely patrolled by Sheriff’s deputies.
The hot springs are on privately owned land that is surrounded by US Forest Service land.
The water at the hot springs is often close to 190 degrees and the property is currently closed to the public due to the dangerous temperatures.
Mike Rysaby with the Northwest Forest Conservancy said that they are working with the Austin family to try and keep trespassers from gaining access to the property but that trespassing is a constant problem.
Rysaby said that it is not uncommon to have large groups of people accessing the hot springs on weekends, although the property is blocked by a large gate and deep trenches.
Two of the burn victims from this past weekend sustained life threatening injuries.
All three were treated at Legacy Emanuel Hospital in Portland.
