Freeway traffic ground to a halt across the San Fernando Valley Sunday, as a procession was bringing a fallen San Diego County firefighter home Sunday, and cars were stopping on Southern California freeways to let it pass.

The procession was for Cory Iverson, 34, a Cal Fire engineer from San Diego, who was killed Thursday.

The hearts and accompanying fire trucks and private vehicles departed Ventura at about 10 a.m. and was expected to arrive at El Camino Memorial Park, in Sorrento Valley on San Diego’s northern side, by 2:30 p.m.

Thousands turned out to see Iverson’s procession on its route through Ventura, Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside counties back to San Diego.

Iverson fell victim to burns and smoke inhalation while battling the Thomas Fire near Fillmore.

He is survived by his wife, Ashley Iverson, a two-year-old daughter and a second daughter who is due in the spring.

Funeral services for the late firefighter will be held at The Rock Church in Point Loma on Saturday, Dec. 23.

Windy conditions in Ventura County are expected to continue to pose a challenge for firefighters, who are continuing to battle the Thomas Fire, now the third-largest in California history.

A Red Flag warning was issued for much of the Southland between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Sunday, and officials ordered evacuations in parts of Santa Barbara, as well as the coastal enclave of Montecito.

–City News Service

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