Yosemite is eerily empty in the aftermath of the Ferguson fire

Scott Gediman, public affairs officer Yosemite National Park, walks across Stoneman Meadow in the Yosemite Valley, one of the park’s most popular places.

A sign hangs in remembrance of fallen dozer operator Braden Varney of Cal Fire, who died in July and for all firefighters currently protecting the park.

A deserted Half Dome Village in the Yosemite Valley remains clouded in smoke from the Ferguson fire.

Benjamin Chevelle, 32, and girlfriend Celia Leonardo, 27, of Paris ride the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad in Fish Camp on Aug. 2. Chevelle and Leonardo planned their trip six months ago to visit Yosemite National Park. “We are a little bit disappointed because Yosemite is very different than other national parks,” said Leonardo. There were only 10 guests on the train. Normally in July and August there would be 100-150 riders.

An American black bear strolls in a meadow behind the Majestic Yosemite Hotel in the Yosemite Valley.

A deserted Lower Pines camp in the Yosemite Valley remains clouded in smoke from the Ferguson fire.

The Zutelman family of Buenos Aires wades in the Tenaya Lake as Yosemite National Park remains clouded in smoke from the Ferguson fire.

Mule deer graze in front of the museum in the Yosemite Valley.