Firefighter dies during suppression efforts on Bivens Creek Fire, Montana

A contract firefighter died of a cardiac emergency while working on the Bivens Creek Fire in southwestern Montana on August 17.

The incident occurred during ground suppression operations when 60-year-old Ruben Gonzales Romero of Keizer, Oregon, collapsed. Emergency medical aid was provided within three minutes, but resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful.

Romero had more than 20 years of experience as a sawyer on Type 2 crews and was assigned to TJ Forestry Contracting LLC. He was honored by state and federal agencies as a fallen firefighter.

The Bivens Creek Fire was reported at 18:16 local time (LT) on August 13. It was ignited by lightning in the Tobacco Root Mountains, about 24 km (15 miles) northwest of Virginia City. By August 21, it had burned 917 ha (2 267 acres) and remained 0% contained, with 361 personnel assigned.

Crews established and improved handlines on the fire’s west side and used helicopters for water bucket drops. Retardant drops were conducted along the east side, while bulldozers and engines reinforced containment lines. Fire growth was observed to the east, including a spot fire in the South Meadow Creek Lake basin.

Fire managers reported that dead standing trees and downed timber remain very dry, supporting continued active fire growth. Winds were terrain-driven with gusts up to 24 km/h (15 mph), shifting from southwest to northeast during the evening.

For community safety, the U.S. Forest Service enacted an area closure around the fire, and a Temporary Flight Restriction was placed to protect firefighting aircraft operations. Officials warned that unauthorized drones or private aircraft could halt aerial suppression and endanger crews.

Reet Kaur

I’m a science journalist and researcher at The Watchers, contributing to the Epicenter edition, where I cover peer-reviewed scientific research and emerging discoveries across Earth and space sciences. With a background in astronomy and a passion for environmental science, I’ve worked in shark and coral conservation in Fiji, conducting reef and shark-behavior research, contributing to mangrove restoration, and earning PADI Open Water and Coral Reef Certifications. I bring a blend of scientific rigor and storytelling to illuminate the discoveries shaping our planet and beyond.

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