A California firefighter died Thursday while battling the Thomas Fire in Ventura County, KSWB reported.
Cory Iverson, 32, of Escondido died near Fillmore while helping to battle the 10-day-old fire, which has burned more than 249,500 acres and destroyed more than 1,000 structures.
Iverson had been with the Cal Fire department since 2009. He was the father of a 2-year-old daughter and his wife, Ashley, is expecting their second child in the spring, KSWB reported.
Officials said that Iverson “succumbed to fatal injuries while engaged in fire suppression efforts,” KSWB reported.
"More details will be made available as they are confirmed," Cal Fire Chief Ken Pimlott said. "In the meantime, please join me in keeping our fallen firefighter and his loved ones in your prayers (and) all the responders on the front lines in your thoughts as they continue to work under extremely challenging conditions."”
Dozens of fellow firefighters lined up in Fillmore, where the accident happened, to honor Iverson in a procession that traveled to the Ventura County Coroner's Office. Later this week, a procession will be made back to his home in North County, KSWB reported.
In a prepared statement, Gov. Jerry Brown expressed sorrow over Iverson's death.
"His bravery and years of committed service to the people of California will never be forgotten," the governor said.
As of late Thursday, the Thomas Fire, the fourth-largest blaze in California history, was roughly 35 percent contained, according to Cal Fire.
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office issued a mandatory evacuation order for several areas of Ventura County early Friday morning,
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