Imperial County Fire Department crews battled a stubborn fire that engulfed a big rig.

The fire was reported at about abut 5:12 p.m. Wednesday on westbound Interstate 8 near Ocotillo. The semi tractor trailer unit became totally involved in flames and the fire spread to the asphalt paving on the shoulder of the roadway. Fire personnel battled the blaze for several hours and it was expected that it would take several more hours to clear the wreckage.