Firefighter Killed Battling Thomas Fire In Southern California, Officials Say

A firefighter was killed battling the monstrous Thomas fire in Southern California, officials said Thursday. The man was an engineer for Cal Fire and based in San Diego.

“I am very saddened to report that a firefighter fatality has occurred on the Thomas Incident,” Chief Ken Pimlott, director of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, said in a statement. “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.”

Pimlott identified the man as Cory Iverson, 32, an eight-year veteran of Cal Fire, according to the Los Angeles Times. He leaves a wife and 2-year-old daughter, with a second child on the way.

“Anne and I are saddened by Engineer Cory Iverson’s tragic death,” California Gov. Jerry Brown said in a statement. “His bravery and years of committed service to the people of California will never be forgotten.”

The Thomas fire, a behemoth that has scorched about 242,500 acres over the past week, quickly became the fourth-largest fire in California state history. Fire officials initially struggled to contain the blaze as it was spurred on by ferocious winds. As of Wednesday morning, it had reached 30 percent containment, with officials expecting to have the fire fully contained by early January.

More than 8,000 firefighters were dispatched to fight the Thomas fire, including 1,200 from other states, but the resurgence in strong winds had officials worried the blaze could gain new life on Thursday.

Around 18,000 structures are still under threat from the flames, and nearly 1,000 have already been destroyed.

The National Weather Service had a high fire danger “red flag warning” in effect for much of Los Angeles and Ventura counties through Friday morning, warning that some areas could see wind gusts of up to 55 mph.

This article has been updated with the identity of the firefighter and comment from Gov. Jerry Brown.

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Thick smoke billows along Foothill Boulevard as the Creek Fire burns heavy brush in Los Angeles' Sylmar neighborhood on Dec. 5, 2017.
Thick smoke billows along Foothill Boulevard as the Creek Fire burns heavy brush in Los Angeles' Sylmar neighborhood on Dec. 5, 2017.
A structure burns on Dec. 5 in Los Angeles' Shadow Hills neighborhood.
A structure burns on Dec. 5 in Los Angeles' Shadow Hills neighborhood.
Wearing his Christmas garb, Justin Ekback stands in front of one of the multi-million dollar homes destroyed in Ventura County by a wildfire on Dec. 5.
Wearing his Christmas garb, Justin Ekback stands in front of one of the multi-million dollar homes destroyed in Ventura County by a wildfire on Dec. 5.
A firefighter gets into position to battle the Creek wildfire as a house is engulfed in flames in Shadow Hills.
A firefighter gets into position to battle the Creek wildfire as a house is engulfed in flames in Shadow Hills.
Local residents react as numerous homes burn on a hillside in Ventura County.
Local residents react as numerous homes burn on a hillside in Ventura County.
Amanda Leon and her husband, Johnny Leon, watch as firefighters fight to save homes in Ventura County.
Amanda Leon and her husband, Johnny Leon, watch as firefighters fight to save homes in Ventura County.
Carolyn Potter tries to save her house from the flames as she throws dirt on her fence in Ventura County's Casita Springs community.
Carolyn Potter tries to save her house from the flames as she throws dirt on her fence in Ventura County's Casita Springs community.
Emergency crews block a roadway as flames spread in Ventura County.
Emergency crews block a roadway as flames spread in Ventura County.
Kayla Jackson, 15, cradles one-day old puppies as she rescues them from a friend's house in the Little Mountain area of San Bernardino County.
Kayla Jackson, 15, cradles one-day old puppies as she rescues them from a friend's house in the Little Mountain area of San Bernardino County.
The Creek wildfire burns into the night in the Shadow Hills neighborhood.
The Creek wildfire burns into the night in the Shadow Hills neighborhood.
Horses are led from danger in Shadow Hills.
Horses are led from danger in Shadow Hills.
A structure is fully engulfed by flames in Shadow Hills.
A structure is fully engulfed by flames in Shadow Hills.
Cars drive around Lake Casitas in Venture County as the Thomas wildfire crests in the surrounding mountains.
Cars drive around Lake Casitas in Venture County as the Thomas wildfire crests in the surrounding mountains.
A house burns along the path of the Thomas wildfire in Casita Springs.
A house burns along the path of the Thomas wildfire in Casita Springs.
A real estate sign was barely touched by a fire that burned a home to the ground in Ventura County.
A real estate sign was barely touched by a fire that burned a home to the ground in Ventura County.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.