As the Thomas Fire and other conflagrations continue to eat through large parts of southern California, a 32-year-old firefighter has lost his life in the line of duty.
Cory Iverson, an engineer with a California fire engine strike team, is survived by his pregnant wife and two-year-old daughter.
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Fire Chief Ken Pimlott did not give out details of how Iverson died, saying that the death was still being investigated.
Pimlott said that fire crews were focused on fighting the blazes, but were “deeply saddened” by Iverson’s death.
“The firefight in front of us continues to go on. The communities we are protecting are depending on us and we will not fail,” said Pimlott in an afternoon news conference today.
This is the second death reported since the Thomas broke out, and renewed Santa Ana gusts have once again put inland portions of Ventura and Santa Barbara counties at risk.
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