Yosemite National Park, located in the western U.S. state of California, will remain closed at least through Sunday as firefighters are battling a huge wildfire nearby, said authorities on Tuesday.

Yosemite Valley, Wawona Road, the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, the Merced Grove of Giant Sequoias, Hetch Hetchy, and other areas will remain closed to all visitors through Sunday, due to continued the impact of unhealthy smoke and ongoing firefighting operations, said the park-official in a statement, adding that officials will continue to assess conditions and reevaluate all closures on Sunday.

The destructive fire, dubbed the "Ferguson Fire," began on July 13 in the Sierra National Forest. The fire grew to 58,074 acres (around 235 square kilometers) by Tuesday afternoon with only 33 percent containment, according to the latest update from the U.S. Forest Service.

More than 3,500 personnel are battling the blaze on the scene, aided by more than 200 engines and 14 helicopters. Although only one structure has been destroyed, the blaze has claimed two firefighters' lives and injured nine others in the past weeks.

The public is reminded to stay vigilant on current fire conditions. Local residents in the area can expect increased smoke during the next few days as fire operations continue.

Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984, Yosemite is internationally recognized for its granite cliffs, waterfalls, clear streams, giant sequoia groves, lakes, glaciers, biological diversity and so on. Some 4 million visitors flock to the park each year.