United States Fire Administration
28 August 2025
The United States Fire Administration has announced the death of Firefighter/Sawyer Ruben Romero, 64, contracted to United States Forest Service – Region 6 on 24 August 2025.
Firefighter/Sawyer Ruben Romero was serving as a sawyer on a Type 2 crew with TJ Forestry Contracting LLC. While actively involved in suppression of the Bivens Creek Fire in Montana, Firefighter/Sawyer Romero suffered a cardiovascular event. Rapid medical assistance was rendered from a line paramedic. Resuscitation attempts, however, were unsuccessful and Firefighter/Sawyer Romero passed away.
Age: 64
Rank: Firefighter/Sawyer
Classification: Wildland Contract
Incident date: Aug. 24, 2025 3:13 PM
Date of death: Aug. 24, 2025
Cause of fatal injury: Stress/Overexertion
Nature of fatal injury: Cardiovascular Event/Heart Attack
Activity type: Advance Hose Lines/Fire Attack (includes Wildland)
Emergency duty: Yes
Duty type: On-Scene Fire
Fixed property use: Outdoor Property
The number of on-duty deaths for 2025 is currently 55.
Go here to read the number of interior line of duty deaths for 2025.
Fatality status is provisional and may change as USFA contacts State Fire Marshals to verify fatality incident information.
For more information about on-duty deaths as recorded by the United States Fire Administration go to “Firefighter Fatalities in the United States.”
Photo courtesy of TJ Forestry Contracting LLC/Facebook.
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