CA Firefighter's Last Moments Detailed In Devastating New Report

ESCONDIDO, CA -- Cal Fire engineer Cory Iverson of Escondido died in the Thomas Fire after a blaze cut off his escape route, prompting the man to run for his life, according to a report released by the state. The "green sheet" details the devastating last moments of Iverson's life as he worked to fight the largest wildfire in the state's history, an extraordinary 280,000 acres across Ventura and Santa Barbara counties.

"Mayday, we've got a firefighter down," radios blared at 9:27 a.m. on Dec. 14, according to the report released by Cal Fire this week. "We have a firefighter trapped."

The firefighters were working to suppress spots fires below a dozer line when Iverson, a fire apparatus engineer from Cal Fire's San Diego unit, was told to "get out of there" because additional spots were below him, the report said.

Iverson "began traveling southwest, paralleling the dozer line," but was forced to turn and head down a slope to the south, before he became entrapped. He asked for immediate air support and helicopters dumped water on the fire in an effort to form an escape route for Iverson, the report said.

"It was described by those who saw (Iverson) moving through the vegetation that the height was chest to head high and in some cases, all that could be seen was the top of his helmet," the report said.

Less than 30 minutes later, officials were notified that Iverson's body was located and he was dead. "(Iverson) was found in a deep gulch, below his last seen position," the report said.

Iverson, 32, leaves behind his pregnant wife, Ashley, and their 2-year-old daughter, Evie. He had worked with Cal Fire since 2009.

At a memorial service, Ashley Iverson, asked attendees to take a breath in remembrance of her husband.

“I may be a wife that lost her sweet husband, and a mother of children that belong to that handsome man. But what I am not — and none of us are — are those men that were with him that day. My heart is obliterated for you,” said Ashley Iverson, according to TimesofSanDiego.com. "Today I am asking you to have the strength and courage Cory has and continue to breathe each and every day and remember: You are loved. You are good enough. You will survive and use this nightmare to help others.”

Iverson's death rocked the state as it endured the worst wildfire season on record. In October, four major wildfires devastated wine country, while six other major wildfires scorched through Southern California.

A GoFundMe page was created for the family in the days after Iverson's death. As of Wednesday, it raised more than $679,000.

--Photo via GoFundMe/Iverson family

Also See:

CA Firefighter Killed From Smoke Inhalation, Burns: Coroner

Thousands Donate To Family Of Fallen San Diego Firefighter - Patch