PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – A firefighter from Keizer, Ore., died in the line of duty while battling the Bivens Creek Fire in Montana over the weekend.

Ruben Gonzales Romero was in Madison County, Mont., working with a 20-person crew as a sawyer — or a firefighter who cuts trees and brush with a chainsaw — when he died Aug. 24, according to the Northern Rockies Team.

Officials said he had more than 20 years of experience and “brought significant experience and wisdom to the fire line and the people with whom he worked.”

“We rest a little more comfortable knowing that he died doing what he loved,” the Northern Rockies Team said. “Ruben’s family is in route to Montana and an honor guard made up of incident and local firefighters will remain with Ruben until his body is carried back home.”

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