Over $500,000 Raised For Family Of Fallen San Diego Firefighter​

SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CA – People across the country have rallied around the family of a fallen firefighter from San Diego County, raising more than a half-million dollars in less than a week.

Cory Iverson, a fire apparatus engineer from Cal Fire's San Diego unit, died Dec. 14 while fighting the Thomas Fire in Ventura County, the third-largest wildfire in the state's history.

He is survived by his wife, Ashley, and their 2-year-old daughter, Evie. Ashley is pregnant with the couple's second daughter, who is due in the spring.

READ: Cal Fire Engineer From San Diego County Dies Fighting Thomas Fire

Cecily Bauchmann, a friend and colleague of Ashley's, launched a GoFundMe page Dec. 14 in support of Iverson's wife, daughter and expected daughter.

On the campaign page, Bauchmann called Iverson "a true hero" and said he "leaves behind his best friend and devoted wife and a daughter with another little girl on the way."

In 20 hours, more than $175,000 had been raised online for the family, surpassing the original goal of $150,000. By 11:45 a.m. Tuesday, over $500,000 had been raised.

"My thoughts are with the Iverson family," Anita Cheesman wrote. "Cory is a true hero and our family will not forget his sacrifice to help others."

Donations have come in from across the country. Family members, friends, people from the firefighting community and strangers have donated in support of the family.

Robert Martin from San Diego said he would have liked to have known Iverson.

"Anyone that puts their life on the line to save and protect others is courageous and admirable," he wrote.

Nearly 6,500 people have donated to the online campaign, including people impacted by the Southern California wildfires.

"God bless you, Ashley, your beautiful daughter, and baby girl on the way," Ellen Nightingale wrote. "May you feel our love and condolences across the world, and know we will honor and hold the memory of your husband, Cory, a hero who died for all of us in his ultimate act of service. We honor your family."

The campaign goal, which has been raised multiple times, is now set at $1 million.

Bauchmann thanked contributors for their donations, thoughts and prayers.

"We often hear about how dark the world is, but the honor that is being shown to what Cory did shows there is so much love in the world," she wrote.

"Ashley feels your prayers and is strengthened by them. Thank you for all you are doing to help and honor the family in this time."

PREVIOUS: Thousands Donate To Family Of Fallen San Diego Firefighter

Iverson fell victim to burns and smoke inhalation while battling the Thomas Fire near Fillmore in Ventura County. The blaze, which has burned about 249,500 acres in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, is on course to become the largest wildfire in California's history and is expected to burn into January.

Iverson, a 32-year-old Escondido resident, had worked with Cal Fire since 2009. Prior to joining the San Diego unit, he worked as a helitack firefighter at the Hemet-Ryan airport and Columbia airbase.

Tens of thousands of firefighters and community members turned out Sunday to see Iverson's five-county procession, which spanned more than 200 miles from Ventura County to San Diego. Overpasses along the processional route were lined with people saluting, waving flags and holding up posters in support of the fallen firefighter and his family.

Funeral services for the late firefighter will be held Saturday at The Rock Church in Point Loma.

The Cal Fire San Diego County Firefighters Benevolent Fund has also established a donation page. The two funds are working together to support the family.

To donate to the GoFundMe campaign, click here.

To donate to the Cal Fire San Diego County Firefighters Benevolent Fund, visit l2881sd.org. Checks can also be mailed to the fund at 2650 Jamacha Road, Suite 147, El Cajon, California, 92019.

Top photo: Iverson family via GoFundMe