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.

The 420 sq-mile Thomas fire is also blamed for the death of a 70-year-old woman who died in a car crash on an evacuation route.

The fire north-west of Los Angeles was 40% contained as work against the blaze continued, crews clearing brush and digging containment lines above hillside neighborhoods in Santa Barbara County.

Firefighters took advantage of slightly calmer winds a day after gusts fanned a flare-up that prompted more evacuations.

“Everything’s holding really well,” fire information officer Lisa Cox said, though she warned that lower-intensity winds were still dangerous. “Thousands of homes have been saved.”

Television footage showed at least one structure burned on property in the wealthy enclave of Montecito, which includes mansions owned by Oprah Winfrey, Ellen DeGeneres and many other celebrities.



“Still praying for our little town,” Winfrey tweeted. It was not clear if the former talk show host was in Montecito.

The Thomas fire, which has become the third-largest wildfire in California history, started nearly two weeks ago. Its cause remains under investigation. More than 1,000 structures have burned, including at least 750 homes. Some 18,000 more homes are still threatened.

About 8,300 firefighters from nearly a dozen states have battled the blaze, aided by 78 bulldozers and 29 helicopters. The cause remains under investigation. Firefighting costs have surpassed $117m.

Some evacuation orders were lifted in Ventura County, where the blaze began, and officials reported progress in protecting the inland agricultural city of Fillmore.

Jim Holden returned to his neighborhood in the city of Ventura to find his home still standing amid widespread destruction. He told KABC-TV that at the height of the inferno, when it appeared his house would be lost, firefighters risked their own safety to retrieve his belongings.

“They broke in and they saved my family photos,” he said, wiping away tears.

Mike and Dana Stoneking lost their Ventura home while many of their neighbors’ properties were spared. The Stonekings planned to rebuild and found some solace after retrieving Mike’s wedding ring from the ashes.