Holidaymakers and residents living near the Californian park have been issued a dire warning as scorching heat and wildfires continue to hammer wide swathes of the US.
Yosemite National Park Superintendent Michael Reynolds said: “Get yourself out of here if you can,” as firefighters continue to battle the Ferguson Fire.
One of the main roads into Yosemite National Park, Highway 140 from Wawona to the Valley floor, where visitors can view landmarks such as El Capitan and Half Dome, has been closed off.
Visitors have been warned it will be blocked for several days as fire crews warned the most active part of the fire is moving towards Yosemite West.
National Park Ranger Scott Gediman said: “If you don’t need to be here, go somewhere else
“That’s our message to employees and visitors. It’s not something we take lightly. We’ve been keeping things going the past few days.
“It’s not only a busy season, our surrounding communities are being impacted.”
Visitors staying within the park grounds were asked to leave on Tuesday and visitors with upcoming reservations have been offered refunds.
Scott Gediman, park spokesman, said: “We apologise to visitors. We understand the impacts on their trips.
“But this is about the health and safety of them and park employees.
“We understand this is a huge impact.
“We’re hoping to resume normal operations as soon as it is safe.”
Tuesday was the first time the park was forced to close in 28 years.
Massive portions of the park will be closed until Sunday before firefighters and park rangers determine whether the area is safe enough to reopen.
The Ferguson Fire erupted on July 13 along Highway 140 and has burned more than 36,587 acres.
As of Tuesday, only 25 percent was contained.