Forest fire continues to grow near Yosemite

A forest fire burning in the Sierra Nevada just west of Yosemite National Park has grown to nearly 36 square miles (93 square kilometers).

More than 2,700 firefighters are battling the Ferguson Fire, but officials say only 7 percent of its perimeter is contained Friday.

The park remains open but one of its scenic routes, Glacier Point Road, has been closed to stage firefighters.

The fire broke out July 13 in steep and rugged terrain within Sierra National Forest, and a bulldozer operator was killed the next day while trying to stop its spread.

Smoke has repeatedly degraded visibility and air quality in Yosemite Valley since the blaze began.

In Southern California, a fire that erupted Thursday near the city of Corona remains at 250 acres (101 hectares). Officials say fire behavior moderated overnight due to decreased winds and higher humidity. Most evacuations have been lifted.