Calif. blaze increases to 32,400 acres

The Ferguson Fire continued its march toward Yosemite National Park over the weekend, growing significantly to 32,484 acres and prompting the closure of some campgrounds and roads.

The fast-spreading fire has been burning in the Sierra Nevada for days, consuming dry brush and dead trees while threatening mountain communities and more than 200 structures.

Jim Mackensen, a spokesman for the U.S. Forest Service, said firefighters have been aggressively attacking the fire, but steep, rugged terrain with little to no access to roads has made their work difficult.

An area of concern was the northern portion of the fire, where it jumped the Merced River and into the Stanislaus National Forest. The Rim Fire broke out there in 2013.

Yosemite National Park officials said state Route 140 is closed from the entrance of the park to

1.5 miles west of Midpines. Glacier Point Road, Bridalveil Creek Campground and the Merced Grove have also been closed because of firefighting operations, park officials said.

The battle comes as a heat wave is about to hit Southern California. Los Angeles County officials have issued a warning for next week, when they expect temperatures to soar.

High temperatures are forecast to arrive Monday. The alert covers areas prone to dangerous summertime heat. They include downtown Los Angeles, the Antelope Valley, Santa Clarita Valley, San Fernando Valley and San Gabriel Valley and the Pomona area.

The National Weather Service is forecasting record-breaking highs and has issued a heat advisory until Thursday evening.

Inland temperatures are expected to hover in the 90s for much of the week and will probably hit 100 on Wednesday. Temperatures along the coast will be in the mid-80s.

County officials have asked schools and summer camps to take special precautions, such as limiting outdoor activities to mornings and evenings.