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MARIPOSA, Calif. — Authorities shut down a major highway Tuesday, keeping most travelers far from the west entrance to Yosemite National Park so crews could battle a huge wildfire raging close to thousands of nearby homes.
Authorities said the blaze — in a steep, dry river canyon — had destroyed 25 homes and had forced the evacuation of 300 others in the Sierra Nevada foothill towns of Midpines and Coulterville.
An area of more than 46 square miles of rugged terrain had burned since a target shooter sparked the wildfire Friday. The fire was just 15 percent contained by midday Tuesday. Flames were about 12 miles from Yosemite National Park.
