Firefighter Died Fighting Thomas Fire Leaving Pregnant Wife Just Before Chrismas

Keep Reading ↓

On Thursday a Thomas Fire claimed the life of Corey Iverson, 33, A California Firefighter who was working on the frontline.

Fire crews remain focused controlling the fire while they mourned the loss of their friend Corey. He and his wife Ashley had a 2-year-old daughter and were expecting their second child this spring.

Iverson was a member of Cal Fire based in San Diego and had been with the agency since 2009. As an engineer, Iverson was in charge of driving the truck and the movement of equipment.

“I am very saddened to report that a firefighter fatality has occurred on the Thomas Incident,” CAL Fire Chief Ken Pimlott wrote in a brief statement.

“Corey is just a great young man and he was somebody who just really loved his job,” The San Diego County Fire Dept. Chief Tony Mecham said. “What really hit all of us today is that normally this time of year we’re supposed to be slowing down and spending time with our families.”

The fight with Thomas Fire continues as exhausted firefighters have been fighting the blaze.

“They are working so hard to knock these flames down, trying to get foscheck anything to draw fire lines to get crews up in the hills, to dig holes and trenches to stop those flames from moving,”

A reporter commented.  “It’s very, very difficult work, the terrain is so rugged, and so unforgiving up there….of course that is why that firefighter lost his life today.”

Firefighters and residents all came together as they saluted Iverson’s hearse as it carried his body to the Ventura County Coroner’s office. His casket was draped with the American Flag.

In his honor Firefighters wore their formal black uniforms with armbands. All Cal Fire facilities flags have been lowered to half-staff.

Iverson died on the frontline battling the Thomas Fire in the hills above Fillmore and his body was retrieved in a hilly area.

In their home, Maria Rosales and her family home could still see the Fire spreading.

“At first it was just some but then it was the fire coming down and down,” Rosales said.

“I really feel badly for them and everybody…this whole firefighting community is impacted,” A Fillmore resident shared.