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Oregon Smokejumper Dies In Alabama

An Oregon firefighter died Monday from injuries he sustained while working in Alabama.

Redmond Smokejumper Ray Rubio, 52, sustained serious injuries from a fall in November.

The Army veteran had been in Alabama to assist with the outbreak of multiple large fires.

According to the Birmingham News, Rubio had completed his last smokejump mission and was ready to return to Oregon when he fell over a concrete railing and into a parking structure. He reportedly sustained head injuries from the fall.

He died while in intensive care at the Grandview Hospital in Birmingham.

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown called it a “heartbreaking” loss.

"I extend my sincere condolences to Ray's family, friends, and the firefighting community who knew him well," Brown said. "Ray will be remembered as a loving husband and father who dedicated his life to service and helping others."

A GoFundMe campaign set up for Rubio states he served in the 82nd Airborne Division, and began his career as a smokejumper in Redmond, Oregon in 1995.

"Ray has been an influential and admirable leader in the fire community, developing connections and mentoring firefighters from Alaska to Alabama," the campaign states.

Money from the crowdsource fund will go to his wife, Julie Rubio.

Copyright 2016 Oregon Public Broadcasting

Ryan Haas has been with Oregon Public Broadcasting since 2013. His work has won numerous awards, including two National Magazine Award nominations for the podcast "Bundyville." Prior to working at OPB, Haas worked at newspapers in Illinois, Florida, Oregon and the Caribbean.