DAYVILLE — The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has reopened the Phillip W. Schneider Wildlife Area near Dayville.

The area had been closed for several weeks due to the Rail Ridge Fire.

More information about the Phillip W. Schneider Wildlife Area is available at shorturl.at/AZwu8.

The wildlife area includes winter range for mule deer and year-round habitat for a variety of wildlife including mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians. Elk, deer, and bighorn sheep viewing is often good during winter and early spring. Bird-watching is excellent all year, according to ODFW.

Native habitats include sagebrush shrubland, riparian, ponderosa pine forest, western juniper woodland and mixed conifer, which support a diversity of fish and wildlife. The riparian areas along the mainstem John Day River, South Fork John Day River and Murderers Creek provide excellent habitat for many birds. Upland areas provide important habitat for passerines and game species.

Some Ochoco and Malheur National Forest lands adjacent to the wildlife area remain closed, but areas outside the fire perimeter have reopened.