Firefighter dies in wild blaze

A FIREFIGHTER was killed in one of the largest blazes in California’s history on Thursday as emergency services spent another day struggling to contain infernos across the tinder-dry state.

San Diego-based Cal Fire engineer Cory Iverson died fighting the Thomas Fire in Ventura County, according to Cal Fire Chief Ken Pimlott, who gave no further details on the incident.

“I am very saddened to report that a firefighter fatality has occurred on the Thomas incident. Please join me in keeping our fallen firefighter and his loved ones in your prayers,” he tweeted.

The Thomas Fire has blackened almost 100,000 hectares since it broke out 10 days ago, Cal Fire said, making it the fourth-largest blaze in the state’s history.

Thousands have had to evacuate and almost 1000 buildings have been razed, most of them single-family houses, while another 18,000 are still seen as under threat.

The only other victim so far is a 70-year-old woman who was in an accident as she fled in her car, and the blaze was considered 30 per cent contained by Thursday, according to Cal Fire.

California’s most devastating blaze remains the 2003’s Cedar Fire, which scorched 270,000 acres and destroyed almost 3000 buildings.

This year is the worst on record for wildfire devastation, with more than 40 deaths and around 9000 structures destroyed.