Humboldt Strike Team Members Unharmed After Flames Overrun and Kill Firefighter Near Them as Thomas Fire Continues to Consume New Ground

Smoke from the Thomas Fire towers over homes today in Ventura County

Smoke from the Thomas Fire towers over homes today in Ventura County. [Photo from the VCFD Twitter account]

One San Diego firefighter has died today as flames from the monstrous Thomas Fire spotted and made a run today near Fillmore in Ventura County. The firefighter, a Cal Fire engineer from San Diego, sent out a “mayday” which was heard over the radio around 10 a.m., but help was unable to reach him in time.

Our Humboldt County Strike team was very close to the incident. Diana Totten, the public information officer for Briceland Fire which is with the strike team, has been in touch with her crew. “All Humboldt County firefighters are safe,” she said. But, she added, “They were nearby.”

Totten said, “Our guys are working hard to maintain safety as they are on the line today…When we say to be safe out there, this is what we are talking about.”

The Thomas Fire is now the 4th largest fire in modern California history. It has chewed through nearly 1000 structures and damaged more.

Thomas Norris, Assistant Chief of Salmon Creek Fire who was on the line with the Humboldt Strike Team, was reached while the crew was eating lunch, tells us that the death of fellow fighter was hard. The crews, he said, have had a “very long shift today.”

Our hearts are with the family of the firefighter who died and with those who are struggling to fight back the flames where he fell.

UPDATE: Cal Fire has released the name of the firefighter who died—San Diego Fire Engineer Cory Iverson.

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19 Comments
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Big louie
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Big louie
6 years ago

Rest in peace sir thank for your service and sacrifice god bless and keep you

Michelle
Guest
Michelle
6 years ago

Prayers to the friends and family of this firefighter who lost his life being a Hero. Sad this has happened. R.I.P. Sir and thank you all firefighters for being Hero’s. Stay Safe out there.

onlooker
Guest
onlooker
6 years ago

In my younger days, I worked the fire line in wildfires. My brother is an engineer, and one of his 3 firefighter/ first responder sons is a SoCal firefighter, so this strikes home. Keeping those brave folks who run toward danger to protect the rest of us. Let this be the only loss.

ikickittoyou
Guest
ikickittoyou
6 years ago

Another sad day… That first paragraph says more than any other news report. Is it sourced or hearsay? Any word of cause from incident personnel is being deferred pending the completion of an investigation. Hopefully they will publish a Green Sheet sooner than later.

Poppins
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Poppins
6 years ago

May Cory’s family, beloved friends and crew get all the support they need as they grieve.
Sincere condolences to them all.
Keeping all the crews in our hearts and prayers for safety, wisdom and the opportunity to rest when they can.

Hick
Guest
Hick
6 years ago

Condolences to friends and family. Loss of life radiates. Like a stone thrown into water. Ever widening circles. Touching more and more lives. Stay safe.

Sparklemahn
Guest
Sparklemahn
6 years ago
Reply to  Hick

Rest in Peace brave sir.

Thinking allowed
Guest
Thinking allowed
6 years ago

I have no words beyond I’m so grateful for those willing to do this work and so grieved at the loss of one of their precious lives.

Shaka
Guest
Shaka
6 years ago

REST IN PARADISE….

LabeledaNazi
Guest
LabeledaNazi
6 years ago

Stay vigilant FFs

Damn
Guest
Damn
6 years ago

He left behind a pregnant wife and a two-year old daughter.

Peggy
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Peggy
6 years ago

Is there a qualified charity to donate help to widowed spouses of deceased firefigbters and those who lost their own home to the fires?

Mike
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Mike
6 years ago
Reply to  Peggy

Donations can be made to the Wildland Firefighters Foundation. They provide aid and support to families of firefighters protecting our homes and lives.

G-MAS
Guest
G-MAS
6 years ago

I’m so very sorry to read about this,My heartfelt condolences to his family. May God Bless you and your family 🕊 REST IN PEACE CORY

Covelo or busted
Guest
Covelo or busted
6 years ago

Blessing on everyone… very tragic.Best kinda folks you firefolk! thanks so much a thousand times!

kindness helps
Guest
kindness helps
6 years ago

To Cory’s wife and daughter, I’m so very very sorry.

NorcalFF
Guest
NorcalFF
6 years ago

There are a couple go fund me accounts setup. Google his name and they pop up.

I was on the same division that day and heard/ watched everything from a distance. Crazy and tragic. RIP

Gerald Myers
Guest
Gerald Myers
6 years ago

Kym, thank you again for all you do to keep this site together.
There is an engine and crew down there that is very, very dear to me…