Fire forces cancellations at Yosemite lodgings

The Ferguson fire has forced the closure of Yosemite Valley until at least 4 p.m. Friday, and Wawona and Mariposa will remain closed indefinitely, Yosemite National Park announced Friday. For park updates: nps.gov/yose

Meanwhile, if you had or have reservations in the park, here’s what you need to know: Hotels, tent cabins

For reservations at the Majestic Yosemite Hotel (formerly the Ahwahnee), Yosemite Valley Lodge and Half Dome Village tent cabins, refunds likely will be issued.

Check with your accommodation for the most current information on refunds. Campgrounds

Recreation.gov handles reservations for many of Yosemite’s campgrounds on the west side, such as Lower Pines, Upper Pines, Hodgdon Meadow and Crane Flat.

Its website said campers concerned about heavy smoke may receive a full refund by calling (888) 448-1474. No reservations are being taken for some of the sites.

The Wawona Campground, nearest the fire, is closed and will remain closed indefinitely.

The cancellation policy — forfeit the deposit of a night’s lodging if you cancel less than seven days out — remained in effect on the east side of the park, such as White Wolf Lodge, Tuolumne Meadows Lodge and the High Sierra Camps. Those sites, and the Hetch Hetchy area, were open as of Friday, the day the Travel section goes to press. For info on Ferguson fire: lat.ms/fergusonfire. For info on air quality: lat.ms/airquality and lat.ms/ wildlandfiresmoke.

The Ferguson fire began July 13 in the Sierra National Forest. On Friday, the fire was only 29% contained and had charred more than 45,000 acres. Smoke from the fire has obscured many of the iconic sites in the national park.