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Lam Research expands in Oregon as AI chip demand grows

It's a big win for the state, which has seen businesses take their growth elsewhere in recent years.

Business

Lam Research, the global <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="semiconductor" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/07/16/federal-grant-semiconductor-industry-fast" data-vars-content-id="93f4b9c7-5986-4110-a120-1afd43004149" data-vars-headline="Lam Research expands in Oregon as AI chip demand grows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/07/16/federal-grant-semiconductor-industry-fast" target="_self">semiconductor</a> equipment maker with a large Portland-area presence, broke ground Wednesday on a multimillion-dollar research and development lab aimed at meeting growing demand for advanced AI chips.Why it matters: The lab is part of a $1.5 billion investment in the company&#x27;s Oregon footprint over the next 15 years — a major win for the state as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="recent manufacturing job losses" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2026/08/03/manufacturing-jobs-oregon.html" data-vars-content-id="93f4b9c7-5986-4110-a120-1afd43004149" data-vars-headline="Lam Research expands in Oregon as AI chip demand grows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2026/08/03/manufacturing-jobs-oregon.html" target="_blank">recent manufacturing job losses</a> compound and other businesses consider <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="moving their growth" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/09/oregon-businesses-expand-out-of-state-growth-incentives" data-vars-content-id="93f4b9c7-5986-4110-a120-1afd43004149" data-vars-headline="Lam Research expands in Oregon as AI chip demand grows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/09/oregon-businesses-expand-out-of-state-growth-incentives" target="_self">moving their growth</a> elsewhere.

Motorcycle volunteers keep Hood to Coast safe

Volunteers patrol the overnight course from Portland to Seaside.

News

As thousands lace up for the start of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Hood to Coast" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/08/20/hood-to-coast-race-this-weekend-19k-runners-to-brave-extreme-heat" data-vars-content-id="d41dccb5-35dd-4012-be62-6ecdc28a42db" data-vars-headline="Motorcycle volunteers keep Hood to Coast safe" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/08/20/hood-to-coast-race-this-weekend-19k-runners-to-brave-extreme-heat" target="_self">Hood to Coast</a> Friday at Timberline Lodge, another group will be preparing to to make sure all those runners finish safely.Why it matters: For nearly 30 years, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Eyes on Wheels" data-vars-click-url="https://eyesonwheels.org/" data-vars-content-id="d41dccb5-35dd-4012-be62-6ecdc28a42db" data-vars-headline="Motorcycle volunteers keep Hood to Coast safe" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://eyesonwheels.org/" target="_blank">Eyes on Wheels</a> – a group of volunteers on motorcycles — have been conducting safety patrols on the western part of the race course.

A massive art show kicks off this week across Portland

Twenty-eight artists take over galleries, college campuses and even a nightclub.

Things to Do

A sprawling contemporary arts exhibition will turn Portland galleries, college campuses and even a downtown nightclub into one big <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="art" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/05/16/portland-art-museum-costs-new-york-san-francisco" data-vars-content-id="5fe7818c-d7a7-4a8b-ae15-8f49a3934d9e" data-vars-headline="A massive art show kicks off this week across Portland" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/05/16/portland-art-museum-costs-new-york-san-francisco" target="_self">art</a> show starting this week.The big picture: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Converge 45" data-vars-click-url="https://www.converge45.org/opening-weekend" data-vars-content-id="5fe7818c-d7a7-4a8b-ae15-8f49a3934d9e" data-vars-headline="A massive art show kicks off this week across Portland" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.converge45.org/opening-weekend" target="_blank">Converge 45</a>, a local nonprofit with a mission to amplify the work of Pacific Northwest artists, launches its 2026 triennial &quot;Here, To You, Now&quot; on Thursday with four days of receptions, performances, screenings and artist talks.

Spotted owls disappear from Northwest habitat

Researchers detected barred owls far more often across millions of hours of recordings.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="northern spotted owl" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/10/01/ai-tracks-endangered-owls-oregon" data-vars-content-id="f6d1e8cd-83fe-4c37-b3fe-00e927ce48eb" data-vars-headline="Spotted owls disappear from Northwest habitat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/10/01/ai-tracks-endangered-owls-oregon" target="_self">northern spotted owl</a> is either functionally extinct or close to it in large parts of the Pacific Northwest, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new research" data-vars-click-url="https://news.oregonstate.edu/news/listening-extinction-study-finds-areas-critical-concern-northern-spotted-owls" data-vars-content-id="f6d1e8cd-83fe-4c37-b3fe-00e927ce48eb" data-vars-headline="Spotted owls disappear from Northwest habitat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://news.oregonstate.edu/news/listening-extinction-study-finds-areas-critical-concern-northern-spotted-owls" target="_blank">new research</a> from Oregon State University.The big picture: Logging, wildfires and the spread of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="invasive barred owls" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/07/03/barred-owls-shoot-spotted-owls-washington-oregon" data-vars-content-id="f6d1e8cd-83fe-4c37-b3fe-00e927ce48eb" data-vars-headline="Spotted owls disappear from Northwest habitat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/07/03/barred-owls-shoot-spotted-owls-washington-oregon" target="_self">invasive barred owls</a> have reduced habitat and intensified competition for the imperiled northern spotted owl.

Oregon wildfires burn record 2.6 million acres

More than 2.6 million acres have burned, nearly four times the 10-year average.

With more than 2.6 million acres burned so far this year, Oregon&#x27;s current <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="wildfire season" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/07/22/oregon-s-wildfire-season-surges" data-vars-content-id="c3266d6c-e209-448a-a4b2-00992f05034c" data-vars-headline="Oregon wildfires burn record 2.6 million acres" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/07/22/oregon-s-wildfire-season-surges" target="_self">wildfire season</a> has shattered the state&#x27;s previous modern record and it&#x27;s not over yet. Why it matters: The current total is nearly four times the 10-year annual average, according to state and federal data, and about 1.1 million acres more than Oregon&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="last record-breaking season" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/08/21/oregon-wildfire-season-record-breaking" data-vars-content-id="c3266d6c-e209-448a-a4b2-00992f05034c" data-vars-headline="Oregon wildfires burn record 2.6 million acres" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/08/21/oregon-wildfire-season-record-breaking" target="_self">last record-breaking season</a> in 2024.

Oregon's roadless forests face new threat

Nearly 2 million protected acres could see new roads, logging and development.

Environment

The Trump administration moved this week to eliminate the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Roadless Rule" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/09/05/trump-roadless-rule-utah-wildfires-logging-national-forests" data-vars-content-id="c99147a2-2045-409a-9857-ea418403eda2" data-vars-headline="Oregon&#x27;s roadless forests face new threat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/09/05/trump-roadless-rule-utah-wildfires-logging-national-forests" target="_self">Roadless Rule</a> in national forests, potentially opening vast areas in Oregon to development.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2001 federal policy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/planning/roadless" data-vars-content-id="c99147a2-2045-409a-9857-ea418403eda2" data-vars-headline="Oregon&#x27;s roadless forests face new threat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/planning/roadless" target="_blank">2001 federal policy</a> has protected millions of acres of wilderness from new roads and logging — to the delight of conservationists and the ire of the timber industry.

How AI helps spot wildfires before 911 calls

Earlier alerts can help stop small fires from becoming disasters.

As wildfires <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="become faster moving and more destructive" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/20/wildfires-fire-weather-climate-change" data-vars-content-id="b0c42c0b-d105-4237-8445-9017dabdc270" data-vars-headline="How AI helps spot wildfires before 911 calls" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/20/wildfires-fire-weather-climate-change" target="_self">become faster moving and more destructive</a> with climate change, agencies across the West are adopting AI-powered cameras, satellite systems and other weather predictive tools to help spot fires and deploy crews sooner.Why it matters: The technology is designed to buy firefighters more time — often the most valuable resource during a wildfire. Earlier warnings not only save lives, but help prevent fires from growing larger and causing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="millions of dollars" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/11/06/oregon-wildfires-cost-funding-record" data-vars-content-id="b0c42c0b-d105-4237-8445-9017dabdc270" data-vars-headline="How AI helps spot wildfires before 911 calls" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/11/06/oregon-wildfires-cost-funding-record" target="_self">millions of dollars</a> in damage.

Why Oregon's wildfire season may just be getting started

Dozens of fires are currently burning across the state.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Wildfire season" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/wildfires" data-vars-content-id="cf0d1b70-31f2-4786-bd8e-3b8af20affb8" data-vars-headline="Why Oregon&#x27;s wildfire season may just be getting started" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/wildfires" target="_self">Wildfire season</a> is raging across much of Oregon, with blazes closing some state parks and roads and prompting evacuations.State of play: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="66 wildfires" data-vars-click-url="https://geo.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/portfolio/index.html?appid=22d04c007866419c91ccf00d097526c8" data-vars-content-id="cf0d1b70-31f2-4786-bd8e-3b8af20affb8" data-vars-headline="Why Oregon&#x27;s wildfire season may just be getting started" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://geo.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/portfolio/index.html?appid=22d04c007866419c91ccf00d097526c8" target="_blank">66 wildfires</a> are currently active across the state, with about 260,600 acres burned so far this year, according to the Oregon Department of Forestry — a fraction of the nearly <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="1.9 million acres" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/08/21/oregon-wildfire-season-record-breaking" data-vars-content-id="cf0d1b70-31f2-4786-bd8e-3b8af20affb8" data-vars-headline="Why Oregon&#x27;s wildfire season may just be getting started" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/08/21/oregon-wildfire-season-record-breaking" target="_self">1.9 million acres</a> scorched in 2024.

Oregon's Cram Fire nears 100K acres, now largest in the nation

The Pacific Northwest has already seen an active start to wildfire season.

The Cram Fire burning in central Oregon is the largest <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="wildfire" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/05/01/oregon-wildfire-season-federal-cuts-2025" data-vars-content-id="7aabf10c-64e0-4969-96ac-48f2ea6d4288" data-vars-headline="Oregon&#x27;s Cram Fire nears 100K acres, now largest in the nation" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/05/01/oregon-wildfire-season-federal-cuts-2025" target="_self">wildfire</a> in the nation as the Pacific Northwest sees an active start to the fire season.Why it matters: Thousands of acres have already been scorched and dozens of homes destroyed.

Oregon hasn't spend majority of 2020 wildfire recovery funds

Some Oregonians impacted by the blazes are waiting on the money to rebuild their homes.

The majority of the $422 million in federal funds Congress approved four years ago to address the devastation from the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2020 Labor Day wildfires" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/01/24/pacificorp-oregon-2020-wildfires-trial-warren-buffett" data-vars-content-id="4602c13c-cd9f-4b1c-970d-72c4cbae21e7" data-vars-headline="Oregon hasn&#x27;t spend majority of 2020 wildfire recovery funds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/01/24/pacificorp-oregon-2020-wildfires-trial-warren-buffett" target="_self">2020 Labor Day wildfires</a> remains untouched, according to the Oregon Journalism Project.The big picture: The agency tasked with distributing the money, Oregon Housing and Community Services, has spent less than 10% since 2021, per the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="news organization" data-vars-click-url="https://www.oregonjournalismproject.org/wildfire-money" data-vars-content-id="4602c13c-cd9f-4b1c-970d-72c4cbae21e7" data-vars-headline="Oregon hasn&#x27;t spend majority of 2020 wildfire recovery funds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.oregonjournalismproject.org/wildfire-money" target="_blank">news organization</a>.

Fire weather days surge in Oregon

Climate change has added over 20 fire-risk days in parts of Oregon.

Hot, dry and windy weather that helps <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="wildfires spread" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/wildfires" data-vars-content-id="e8d8141f-6812-4720-9292-0a92319089ff" data-vars-headline="Fire weather days surge in Oregon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/wildfires" target="_self">wildfires spread</a> is becoming more common in parts of Oregon and across much of the U.S. amid climate change, a new analysis finds.Why it matters: While the vast majority of fires in the state are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="human-caused" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2023/07/21/people-cause-half-of-wildfires-in-oregon" data-vars-content-id="e8d8141f-6812-4720-9292-0a92319089ff" data-vars-headline="Fire weather days surge in Oregon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2023/07/21/people-cause-half-of-wildfires-in-oregon" target="_self">human-caused</a>, &quot;fire weather&quot; can give them the push they need to grow.

Oregon wildfire season could be complicated by federal cuts

The severity will be determined by weather and people, but also by state funding and federal job cuts.

Oregon could be in for another intense <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="wildfire season" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/wildfires" data-vars-content-id="e388f586-6002-43bc-b546-d81c8f33c98d" data-vars-headline="Oregon wildfire season could be complicated by federal cuts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/wildfires" target="_self">wildfire season</a>, just a year after the state broke a number of records.Why it matters: In 2024, Oregon saw the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="most acres burn" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/08/21/oregon-wildfire-season-record-breaking" data-vars-content-id="e388f586-6002-43bc-b546-d81c8f33c98d" data-vars-headline="Oregon wildfire season could be complicated by federal cuts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/08/21/oregon-wildfire-season-record-breaking" target="_self">most acres burn</a> in recorded history, along with the most money spent on firefighting.

Oregon's wildfire season breaks historical records for acres burned

Half of the firefighters available in the U.S. — over 11,000 — are currently fighting fires in Oregon and Washington.

Wildfires across Oregon have burned more acres this year than ever before in recent history, according to data from state and federal fire officials — and the season is still far from over.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="record-breaking" data-vars-click-url="https://apnews.com/article/oregon-wildfires-record-9454144518d25686fa70940331ffdbab" data-vars-content-id="884590e0-19ce-4ad4-b7e0-36353f104f12" data-vars-headline="Oregon&#x27;s wildfire season breaks historical records for acres burned" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://apnews.com/article/oregon-wildfires-record-9454144518d25686fa70940331ffdbab" target="_blank">record-breaking</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="1.5 million acres" data-vars-click-url="https://odffire.com/2024/08/19/august-19-2024-odf-wildland-fire-situation-report/" data-vars-content-id="884590e0-19ce-4ad4-b7e0-36353f104f12" data-vars-headline="Oregon&#x27;s wildfire season breaks historical records for acres burned" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://odffire.com/2024/08/19/august-19-2024-odf-wildland-fire-situation-report/" target="_blank">1.5 million acres</a> — or 2,400 square miles — burned so far in 2024 shows how <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="climate" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/08/01/heat-wave-intensifies-worsening-wildfires" data-vars-content-id="884590e0-19ce-4ad4-b7e0-36353f104f12" data-vars-headline="Oregon&#x27;s wildfire season breaks historical records for acres burned" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/08/01/heat-wave-intensifies-worsening-wildfires" target="_self">climate</a> plays a significant role in efforts to control blazes.

AI can help Oregon officials predict future wildfires

The database includes information from 2.3 million wildfires in the U.S.

Wildfires

A newly enhanced national database aims to help fire officials and scientists predict when — and where — <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="wildfires" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/07/22/oregon-wildfires-season-aggressive-start" data-vars-content-id="f1de53a6-898e-4b14-b12d-1befad72d2a2" data-vars-headline="AI can help Oregon officials predict future wildfires" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/07/22/oregon-wildfires-season-aggressive-start" target="_self">wildfires</a> are most likely to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pop up" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/02/28/wild-fires-oregon-climate-change" data-vars-content-id="f1de53a6-898e-4b14-b12d-1befad72d2a2" data-vars-headline="AI can help Oregon officials predict future wildfires" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/02/28/wild-fires-oregon-climate-change" target="_self">pop up</a> via artificial intelligence.Why it matters: It can be used to better aid on-the-ground firefighters with emergency response planning during active wildfires and determine what regions are most at risk due to current and previous climate events.

Axios Salt Lake City

🟠 Hot and gross

Portland smoke and heat stick around through Thursday

🔥 Map du jour: Smoked out

Oregon’s wildfire season surges 

A grid of maps shows the number of days regions of the U.S. have been smoke-covered annually from 2018 to 2026 (2026 through July 17). Thereâs a clear pattern of growth as the maps grow darker over time.

Axios Visuals: 2026-07-14-smoke-maps

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