I-15 Stretch Dedicated To Fallen Cal Fire Firefighter

ESCONDIDO, CA – The stretch of Interstate 15 between Via Rancho Parkway and Highway 78 in the Escondido area now is known as the "Cal Fire Firefighter Cory Iverson Memorial Highway" following this weekend's dedication ceremony honoring the 32-year-old fire engineer, who died in December 2017 while fighting the Thomas Fire in Ventura County.

Iverson of Escondido, who served with Cal Fire for more than eight years, died after the blaze cut off his escape route, according to a report released by the state. He died of burns and smoke inhalation while battling the torrential fire, the largest in state history at the time.

"Anne and I are saddened by Engineer Cory Iverson's tragic death," said then-Gov. Jerry Brown in a statement the day Iverson died. "His bravery and years of committed service to the people of California will never be forgotten."

His wife, Ashley Iverson, attended the northern San Diego County highway dedication, also attended by representatives from governement agencies, Cal Fire and Caltrans.

Since her husband's death, Ashley Iverson launched the Iverson Foundation for Active Awareness, a nonprofit to help firefighters deal with the rigors of the job in a healthy and supportive way.

Students from the Criminal Justice and Fire Technology classes at Escondido Charter High School also are stepping up to contribute to the Iverson family with bake sales and creative fundraisers, including one with T-shirts for sale held Friday at Blue Mug Coffee & Tea in Escondido, to let the family "know we did not forget about Cory," according to Escondido Charter High instructor Al Owens.

A GoFund Me account, established at the time for then-pregnant, Ashley, and their young daughter, Evie, has raised, to date, more than $700,000 to help with their expenses. Second daughter, Taylor, was born since her father's death.

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--City News Service contributed to this post