Natural History Wanderings

The San Francisco Chronicle reports

The closures of Highway 41, the Yosemite Valley and Wawona were announced Tuesday at a public meeting. Officials said visitors are being asked to leave by noon Wednesday. Firefighters plan to use Highway 41 to create fire breaks and prevent the wildfire from spreading.

The areas of the park will remain closed until at least July 29, and include all hotels, campgrounds, and visitor services in Yosemite Valley and Wawona.

The blaze has scorched 36,587 acres, racing through dry brush and timber between the town of Mariposa and the steep terrain just outside the border of the park’s western edge. It’s now 25 percent contained.

Read full article and see photos  at Tourism nightmare: Yosemite Valley closing as fire closes in, smoke at hazardous levels – SFGate