(Local Strike Teams)…There are still two Imperial County Teams assisting in the Thomas Fire

. One of the Teams was refreshed Monday. Imperial County sent fresh personnel to replace one of the Strike Team Members. The latest report is that the Thomas Fire is now 50 percent contained. It has burned almost 272,000 acres, since it was first discovered on December 4th, the fire is burning in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties. It has destroyed 1,024 structures, and damaged 250 others. Officials say 18,000 structures are still threatened. Over 8,000 fire fighters are assisting in the efforts to contain the fire. There have been two fatalities in the Thomas Fire. A fire engineer from San Diego and a woman trying to escape the flames.