Natural History Wanderings

Yosemite Valley, its granite spires still shrouded in smoke from the raging Ferguson Fire, will remain shut until Friday, five days longer than first announced, park rangers said. Valley hotels, restaurants and campgrounds, which were evacuated and shuttered Wednesday, will remain off limits to visitors. Highway 41 and the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias will remain shut until further notice, the National Park Service said Friday. Other areas closed to allow for firefighting operations include Glacier Point Road and the Bridalveil Creek and Wawona campgrounds. The Ferguson Fire burned 46,675 acres and was 29 percent contained by Friday night, officials said.

Read full story at SF Gate Yosemite Valley reopening delayed until next Friday as Ferguson Fire burns