A funeral procession from Ventura to San Diego County was held on Sunday for a heroic firefighter who lost his life in the Thomas fire currently raging in southern California.
The somber ceremony began at 10am Sunday morning in honor of Cal Fire engineer Cory Iverson, who was killed while battling the blaze on Thursday.
The Ventura County Coroner’s office said that Iverson died of burns and smoke inhalation on December 14 in Fillmore, located about 30 miles north of Los Angeles county.
A funeral procession from Ventura to San Diego County was held for fallen firefighter Cory Iverson (pictured) on Sunday
Los Angels city firefighters stand in attention and salute the Cal-Fire funeral procession along the 101 freeway of fallen Cal Fire San Diego engineer Cory Iverson Sunday
The Ventura County Coroner’s office said that Iverson died of burns and smoke inhalation on December 14 while battling the Thomas fire
A procession carries the body of Cory Iverson, 32, a fire engineer for Cal Fire San Diego who died fighting the Thomas Fire, from Ventura to San Diego on December 17, 2017
Los Angels city firefighters stand in attention and salute the Cal-Fire funeral procession along the 101 freeway of fallen Cal Fire San Diego engineer Cory Iverson Sunday
The Thomas Fire is now the third largest California wildfire since records began in 1932. It has grown to 420 square miles and destroyed more than 1,000 structures since it began on December 4
Firefighters paid tribute to fallen firefighter Corey Iverson as his hearse made its way to his home in San Diego
The procession traveled south on the 101 Freeway through Ventura, Los Angeles and Orange counties, arriving at El Camino Memorial Park in San Diego County at 2.15 pm, according to the Los Angeles Times. The procession covered nearly 200 miles.
Iverson, 32, was with a five-engine strike team from San Diego when he was killed attempting to quell the third largest blaze California has ever seen.
According to state officials, the fire currently covers 267,500 acres – an area larger than New York City.
Iverson, who joined the Cal Fire since 2009 and worked at a station in Dulzura, behind a pregnant wife and 2-year-old daughter.
A GoFundMe account has been set up ‘For Ashley Iverson and her girls,’ raising more than $380,000 as of Sunday evening.
‘This fund is created to help with her daughters and the expenses that come with raising little ones, meals, mortgage payments, bills etc,’ Cecily Bauchmann, a close friend of Iverson’s widow, explains on the fundraising site.
‘This is still so very new but please contribute as you feel led. Their oldest is almost 3 and they will be due in May with their newest baby. I will update here as needed. Thank you all for blessing the Iverson family.’
. A funeral procession by firefighters and police was done as the people, firefighters, police line up on freeway over passes to pay their respects to Corey Iverson
The firefighter was identified as Cal Fire San Diego Unit Fire Apparatus Engineer Cory Iverson, according to Cal Fire Director Chief Ken Pimlott
The National Weather Service forecast red flag conditions for extreme fire danger through Sunday evening for Ventura and Los Angeles counties
Los Angeles Fire Department Task Force 12 firefighters salute as a procession carries the body of Cory Iverson, 32, a fire engineer for Cal Fire San Diego who died fighting the Thomas Fire
About 8,300 firefighters from nearly a dozen states have contributed to the effort, aided by 78 bulldozers and 29 helicopters
Some evacuation orders were lifted to the east in Ventura County, where the blaze erupted, and officials reported making progress protecting the inland agricultural city of Fillmore
The blaze is also blamed for the Dec. 6 death of a 70-year-old woman who died in a car crash on an evacuation route
While crews on the fire lines got a break from slightly calmer winds, much of the rest of Southern California was buffeted by powerful gusts that once again increased the wildfire risk across the region
The LA Times reports that a memorial for Iverson has been scheduled for 10am on Dec. 23 at the Rock Church in Point Loma.
The blaze is also blamed for the Dec. 6 death of a 70-year-old woman who died in a car crash on an evacuation route.
The fire that started nearly two weeks ago has burned more than 1,000 structures, including at least 750 homes. Some 18,000 more homes are still threatened.
Some evacuation orders were lifted to the east in Ventura County, where the blaze erupted, and officials reported making progress protecting the inland agricultural city of Fillmore.
The 420-square-mile blaze crested a peak just north of Montecito, where evacuation orders remained in effect. Known for its star power, the enclave includes the mansions of Oprah Winfrey, Ellen DeGeneres and many other celebrities.
‘Still praying for our little town,’ Winfrey tweeted. It was not clear if the former talk show host was in Montecito.
A portion of the city of Santa Barbara was also evacuated as a thick plume of smoke blew through city streets.
At the city’s zoo, workers put some animals into crates and kennels to ready them for possible evacuation.
While crews on the fire lines got a break from slightly calmer winds, much of the rest of Southern California was buffeted by powerful gusts that once again increased the wildfire risk across the region.
The National Weather Service forecast red flag conditions for extreme fire danger through Sunday evening for Ventura and Los Angeles counties. Trees came down after wind gusts topped 70 mph (113 kph) in mountain areas and 50 mph (80 kph) along the coast.
Everything about the fire has been massive, from the sheer scale of destruction that cremated entire neighborhoods to the legions of people attacking it.
About 8,300 firefighters from nearly a dozen states battled the third largest wildfire in state history, aided by 78 bulldozers and 29 helicopters.
The cause remains under investigation. So far, firefighting costs have surpassed $117 million.
Iverson, who joined the Cal Fire since 2009 and worked at a station in Dulzura, behind a pregnant wife, Ashley (Pictured) and 2-year-old daughter