(Imperial County Strike Team sent north)…The Team left this week for the Pawnee Fire.

They are assisting the 2,700 firefighters combating the blaze. The latest report issued Wednesday morning, the fire had burned 13,500 acres and was 25 percent contained. It has destroyed 22 structures and 600 structures are being threatened by the fire. Mandatory evacuations have been ordered and several roads are closed. The fire was first reported last Saturday. The cause has still not been determined.