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August 4, 2026

Why You Might Smell Smoke This Week. Plus Salem's Data Center Revolt and the Real Reason PDX Trees are Dying

City Cast Portland

Why You Might Smell Smoke This Week. Plus Salem's Data Center Revolt and the Real Reason PDX Trees are Dying

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Today we’re talking about how Oregon’s wildfires are the largest in our state’s history. Plus, Salem is standing up against encroaching data centers, and there’s a more probable reason that our airport’s trees are dying. And no, it’s not dog pee. Joining host Claudia Meza are KBOO news director Althea Billings and Zach Urness, outdoors editor and host of the "Explore Oregon" podcast at the Statesman Journal.

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Discussed in today's episode:

A Horticulturist Weighs In on the Struggling Trees at Portland International Airport [Willamette Week]

Oregon wildfires set record for acres burned, new fires spark evacuations [Statesman Journal]

Oregon Gov. Kotek stops state from selling land for Salem data center [OPB]

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D'Amore Law

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