HAROLD R. LARSON

With a heart forged in flames and words tempered by experience, Harold transforms his journey from battling wildfires into powerful storytelling.

As both a seasoned firefighter and author, he ignites inspiration by bringing readers into the heart of the blaze—and the wisdom found within it.

— COMING SOON —

When Embers Fade pulls back the curtain on the world of wildland firefighting—where experience can mean the difference between control and catastrophe, but the system is bleeding that experience dry.

Split-second decisions shape survival, camaraderie is forged in smoke and sweat, and the flames are only part of the battle. But beyond the fireline, another crisis is burning—one that few talk about. With high turnover, shrinking budgets, and reckless leadership decisions, the system is failing the very firefighters risking everything to protect communities. As experience is cast aside in favor of cost-cutting, the question remains: how long before the system collapses under its own weight?

This is not a glorified adventure story. It’s a raw, boots-on-the-ground account of what it truly means to fight fire, what it takes to survive it, and why the people who do this job deserve better.

— AVAILABLE NOW —

Harold R. Larson reflects on his time as a dedicated Wildland firefighter, sharing stories that capture both the challenges and triumphs of his experiences in the field. Through vivid descriptions and personal anecdotes, he provides readers with a glimpse into the intense training, camaraderie, and the urgent sense of purpose that defined his work amidst the flames and towering trees. Larson's narrative not only highlights the physical demands of fighting wildfires but also evokes the profound connection he developed with the natural world during those years.

  • Having fought over 350 wildfires, spent more than 8,000 hours on the fire line, and led hundreds of firefighters on the frontlines, author Harold R. Larson is the perfect candidate to share his inside stories, physical feats, and knowledge in his memoir titled “The Wildfire Twenty.”

    — Jill Rey

  • Thoroughly interesting and authentic first person account of life on the frontlines of wildfire fighting in Northern Alberta. The author provides an in-depth behind the scenes look into his experiences leading a 20 member wildfire crew and combines elements of action, humour and technical knowledge to keep the reader engaged throughout.

    — AO

  • I observed what was the single most complex initial attack in 13 years of wildland firefighting.

    — Brandon Taylor, Wildfire Ranger

  • [Fire in the Eucalptys] is an intimate look into one responders personal experience in the face of natural disaster.

    — Sam Siddel, Thunderbird Unit Crew Supervisor

  • Harold’s account of Black Saturday jolted me. Thankfully, the majority of us will never have to experience what he saw that day. Reading about it was hard enough.

    — Christ Klitbo, Northern Alberta Institute of Technology Wildfire Instructor

Through the Smoke:
Insights from a wildfire veteran

Stay updated on Harold R. Larson's latest releases.

Sign up for email updates on new books, blog posts, and exclusive content.