California: crews battle Thomas blaze as mourners honor firefighter who died

• Cory Iverson, 32, died on Thursday of burns and smoke inhalation
• Fire north-west of LA was 40% contained as work against blaze continues

As thousands of firefighters tried to shield coastal communities from one of the biggest wildfires in California history, a funeral procession for one of their number rolled past burn-scarred hillsides and overpasses lined with mourners.

Firefighter Cory Iverson, 32, died on Thursday of burns and smoke inhalation. His funeral procession was due to wind through five southern California counties before ending up at a funeral home in San Diego, where he was based with a state fire engine strike team. He is survived by his pregnant wife and a two-year-old daughter.