SAN DIEGO (NEWS 8) - Cal Fire and Caltrans dedicated a section of Interstate 15 on Saturday to Cory Iverson, a 32-year-old fire engineer who died in December 2017 while fighting the Thomas Fire.
Iverson had served with Cal Fire for more than eight years when he died of burns and smoke inhalation while battling the fire, the largest in state history at the time.
Iverson left behind a wife, Ashley, and two daughters, Evie and Taylor.
Cory’s widow, Ashley Iverson, addressed the crowd of friends, family, and firefighters saying she still often hears Cory’s voice. She told the crowd about a recent song he sang to her, “please do not fuss because I must go do what I must do. And everyday I pray one day you will see and understand the fact that I must fulfill my destiny.” She went on to say that Cory did fulfill his destiny and he isn’t even finished.
“He made a name for himself that was bigger than his dreams and he is changing lives around the world because of the man he was," Ashley said.
After Cory’s death, Ashley started a foundation called the Iverson Foundation for Active Awareness. The foundation aims to help firefighters deal with the rigors of the job in a healthy and supportive way.
New signs bearing Cory's name will hang over a 4.5-mile stretch of Interstate 15 between Via Rancho Parkway and State Route 78. The location is special to the Iverson family because it is one of the places where crowds lined the overpasses when his body was returned to San Diego.
Ashley told the crowd why she hopes the signs will bring joy to the more than 200,000 drivers who will see them every day.
“When you pass the signs, please do what he would do and smile. Smile because he sees you, smile because of the good he has done for you, and smile because we know someone cool enough to have a freeway named after him and smile because of the love that continues to surround you.”
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