A 60-year-old Keizer man died Aug. 24 while fighting the Bivens Creek Fire in southwest Montana.

Ruben Gonzales Romero was working on fire suppression for Monmouth-based TJ Forestry Contracting when he experienced a cardiac emergency, according to a news release from the Northern Rockies Incident Management Team 6. A paramedic attempted to revive Romero, but was unsuccessful.

"Ruben was a well-known wildland firefighter that had been on the line of duty for 20+ years," TJ Forestry Contracting said in a Facebook post. "He was a dedicated firefighter whom loved his job and enjoyed running his saw on the line. He brought joy, laughter, and wisdom to every crew he worked on."

Romero primarily worked as a sawyer, a firefighter who cuts trees and brush with a chainsaw, and was part of a 20-pe

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