Firefighters contain quarter of forest fire near Yosemite

California authorities will shut down Yosemite Valley for several days as crews try to stop a stubborn and growing wildfire from spreading into Yosemite National Park.    The Fresno Bee reports park Superintendent Michael Reynolds told a community meeting that a 20-mile stretch of Highway 41 will close beginning Wednesday at noon. The closure is expected to last through Sunday.    The Ferguson Fire broke out on July 13. Over nearly two weeks, flames have churned through an estimated 36,587 acres of timber in steep terrain of the Sierra Nevada just west of the park. The fire was just 25 percent contained Tuesday morning.    Mandatory evacuations are in place in several communities while others have been told to get ready to leave if necessary.More than 3,300 firefighters are working the fire, aided by 16 helicopters. One firefighter was killed July 14 and six others have been injured.Ferguson Fire (NBC photo)