Flags flew at half-staff on Monday at a Berkeley fire station in honor of a firefighter who was crushed by a tractor on his property as he was most likely clearing a fire trail in preparation for an upcoming storm.

Berkeley Fire Chief Gil Dong identified the firefighter as 54-year-old Toney Nunes, who would have celebrated his 28th anniversary with the Berkeley Fire Department on Monday, and who Dong said was best known for his sense of humor and his "joy" in taking children on fire house tours of Station No. 7.

Series of Storms to Bring Rain to Bay Area

"Our loss and grief goes beyond Berkeley and the city," Dong said outside the station. "He was one of our finest. Please give us some time to grieve. It's going to be a tough day and a tough week."

The Contra Costa County Fire Protecti

See Full Page