As wildfire threats have reduced, John Day Fossil Beds National Monument is back open, the National Park Service said Aug. 6.

About one third of the Painted Hills unit experienced moderate to low impact as the fire burned through. The Sheep Rock unit including the visitor center and historic ranch were not directly impacted, the NPS said.

Only Mascall Overlook remained closed on Aug. 6 due to a road closure.

The Rowe Creek Complex burned portions of the Painted Hills Unit on July 28 near Mitchell, according to the National Park Service. (Provided by the National Park Service)
The Rowe Creek Complex burned portions of the Painted Hills Unit on July 28 near Mitchell, according to the National Park Service. (Provided by the National Park Service)
Some of the grass at the top of the land forms burned, but the Painted Hills themselves were devoid of flammable material on July 28 near Mitchell, according to the National Park Service. (Provided by the National Park Service)
Some of the grass at the top of the land forms burned, but the Painted Hills themselves were devoid of flammable material on July 28 near Mitchell, according to the National Park Service. (Provided by the National Park Service)
The Rowe Creek Complex burned portions of the Painted Hills Unit. The fire burned in a mosaic pattern, with low to moderate severity on July 28 near Mitchell, the National Park Service said. (Provided by the National Park Service)
The Rowe Creek Complex burned portions of the Painted Hills Unit. The fire burned in a mosaic pattern, with low to moderate severity on July 28 near Mitchell, the National Park Service said. (Provided by the National Park Service)
There is wildfire damage at John Day Fossil Beds National Monument due to multiple large fires burning in the region, the National Park Service said. (Provided by the National Park Service)
There is wildfire damage at John Day Fossil Beds National Monument due to multiple large fires burning in the region, the National Park Service said. (Provided by the National Park Service)

The Rowe Creek Complex burned portions of the Painted Hills Unit on July 28 near Mitchell, according to the National Park Service.

Multiple large fires, including the Rowe Creek Complex, Hay Creek Complex and Shingle Fire, burned near the monument and caused evacuation orders. Since then, the evacuation levels in the park have been reduced, allowing the park to reopen.

Fire crews successfully kept the fire south of Highway 218, the NPS said.

"The John Day Fossil Beds continue to have stunning scenery, colorful geologic features and some of the richest fossil beds on earth. We are thrilled to welcome visitors back to the Park," said acting superintendent Sarah Herve in a statement. "We appreciate the tremendous work of local community members, firefighters, the Sheriff's Office, and partners who have responded to and supported wildfire response."

As the Painted Hills recover from the fire, it is more important than ever for visitors to stay on trails, the NPS said.

Makenzie Stamets is an outdoor intern at the Statesman Journal. She can be reached at [email protected] or on X at @MakenzieStamets.

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Oregon's John Day Fossil Beds reopen as wildfire risk reduced