Oregon firefighter dies while working to contain Bivens Creek Fire

On Aug. 24, 2025 Ruben Gonzales-Romero of Keizer, Ore. suffered sudden cardiac arrest while he was actively involved in fire suppression on the ground at the Bivens Creek Fire in the Tobacco Root Mountains. Rapid medical assistance was rendered from a line paramedic; however, resuscitation attempts were unsuccessful.

Romero had 20 years of wildfire fighting experience and was working primarily as a sawyer with TJ Contracting LLC. 

According to a release from the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, Gonzales-Romero’s family is en 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.

Crews take advantage of winds from the North to shore up firelines on the Bivens Creek Fire

The Bivens Creek Fire has grown to more than 2,200 acres and is expected to continue growing with high pressure pushing winds from the North that will dictate fire growth. On Saturday, Aug. 23 crews were able to reinforce retardant lines on the East side of the fire with bulldozers. Crews also worked to finalize structure protection plans for impacted areas. 

As of Aug. 26 there are over 700 personnel listed as working on the fire and it is considered 34% contained. Madison County Emergency Management services has stated that large fires burning in thick forest like the Bivens Creek and Cloudrest fires usually take a season ending event such as snow to extinguish them completely.  

Evacuation warning issued for Upper Wisconsin, Noble and Indian Creek areas as Cloudrest Fire Continues to grow

As of Aug. 25 there have been no evacuation orders resulting from the growth of the Cloudrest Fire, but the Madison County Sheriff’s Office has issued an evacuation warning for the Upper Wisconsin, Noble and Indian Creek areas. Individuals living in those areas are asked to be prepared for evacuation if conditions change. 

The fire is being pushed down south facing slopes full of downed dry timber by winds originating from the North. There is a structure protection group working on a plan to protect the structures in the at-risk areas.  Unmanned aircraft are being used to find hot spots and identify natural features that could aid in suppression efforts.  

The fire has consumed over 2,500 acres as of Aug. 25 and is considered 12% contained as of the Tuesday morning update. 

McAllister fire perimeters are cool, interior hot spots are still being discovered

The McAllister Fire has burned over 3,500 acres and is listed as 65% contained according to the National Interagency Fire Center. Hot spots in the interior of the fire are still popping up, but evacuation warnings for Bradley Creek Road and the Shining Mountains West subdivision have been lifted.  

West Fork Fire grows to more than 750 acres with 33% containment

The West Fork fire is burning 23 miles Northwest of West Yellowstone along the Gallatin and Madison County line. 

On Aug. 23 crews made good progress on containment of the East side of the fire during a period of northerly winds. The fire does not pose a threat to Big Sky. The fire is burning in steep terrain with no road access and a heavy fuel load. 

Current information about the fires in the area can be found at www.inciweb.wildfire.gov.