Ferguson Fire has now crossed into Yosemite National Park

MARIPOSA COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- The Ferguson Fire has now crossed the boundary into Yosemite National Park as it burns near the areas of El Portal and Wawona.

The fire has grown to 73,560 acres, burning an additional 4,100 acres on Thursday, and containment stands at 41-percent.

We learned Thursday night that the Ferguson Fire has destroyed at least ten structures, but it's unclear what type of structures they were and when the damage happened. Fire officials say the number jumped from one to ten today because teams are now starting to closely examine the burned areas for damage.

Highway 120 was closed on Thursday afternoon between Yosemite's Big Oak Flat entrance and Crane Flat due to heavy smoke in the area. That means the only road access to the park is the Tioga Road entrance in the Eastern Sierra near Lee Vining (Highway 120 and US 395).

Fire officials say they were able to contain much of the spot fires that prompted the precautionary evacuation of Wawona Wednesday evening.

RELATED: Fire officials issue mandatory evacuation order for Wawona community inside Yosemite National Park

To the north, crews cleared areas to prepare to another backfire to protect the Merced Grove of Giant Sequoias. Backfires both remove potential fuel for the wildfire and expand containment of the larger fire.

While the backfires help firefighters contain the larger wildfire, they are generating more smoke, which has a negative impact on Central California's already poor air quality.

RELATED: Check the air quality where you live

The poor air quality also led the National Park Service to announce Tuesday that parts of Yosemite National Park will remain closed until at least Sunday, August 5.

RELATED: Yosemite Valley to remain closed until at least Sunday, August 5

Meterologists say that in the coming days, the high pressure system above the fire will weaken. That will decrease temperatures in the Central Valley, but is also expected to increase fire behavior.

A total of 11 firefighters have been injured battling the Ferguson Fire, and two firefighters have died with the most recent loss just this past Sunday. Brian Hughes, 33, was killed when a tree fell on him.

RELATED: Firefighter struck by tree and killed while battling Ferguson Fire

Get the latest on wildfires burning across California here.

FIRE INFO

Road Closures:

• Highway 41/Wawona Road is closed from the Yosemite Valley, through Wawona, to the park's south gate
• Highway 120 is closed between Yosemite's Big Oak Flat entrance and Crane Flat
• Highway 140/Incline Road is closed from Yosemite National Park to Midpines (residents allowed)
• Anderson Valley Road
• Foresta Road
• River Road from Briceburg to the gate at Railroad Flat and all campground areas along Highway 140
• Summit Road
• Old Yosemite Road

Mandatory Evacuations:
These areas are currently under a mandatory evacuation:

• Anderson Valley
• Foresta
• Old El Portal
• Old Yosemite Road
• River Road from Briceburg to the last BLM campground
• Wawona
• Yosemite View Lodge
• Yosemite West

Evacuation Advisories:
This is NOT an Evacuation Order. This is an advisement only of a potential Evacuation Order should conditions change.

• Cedar Lodge/Indian Flat Campground
• El Portal Trailer Court
• Rancheria Flat - Government Housing
• Savage's Trading Post

Evacuation Center:

• New Life Christian Church - 5089 Cole Road, Mariposa CA 95338

Animal Shelters:
Small Animals:
SPCA
5599 California 49
Mariposa CA 95338

Large Animals:
Mariposa County Fairgrounds
5007 Fairgrounds Road
Mariposa CA 95338