Kris Larson
Longwood,FL
Summary
Environmental and natural resources professional with more than 20 years of leadership in wildland fire management with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Experienced in supervising multi-agency fire response, national wildfire incident deployments, prescribed fire operations, and hazardous fuel reduction to protect communities and infrastructure. Served in roles ranging from Redmond Hotshot and Engine Captain to Supervisory Fire Management Officer overseeing wildland fire programs. Holds a B.S. in Environmental & Natural Resources and brings additional experience in agricultural operations, wildlife capture, and collaboration on biological field research.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Supervisory Fire Management Officer
U.S. Wildland Fire Service
Zimmerman, MN
01.2016 - 01.2026
- Supervisor of the wildland fire program for U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service lands across ten counties in central MN.
- Managed fire response coordination with federal interagency partners, state, county and local municipalities throughout the nation.
- Team member of Complex Incident Management team that responded nationally to wildland fire incidents.
- Supervised multiple prescribed burns to reduce hazardous wildland vegetation that threatened residential and commercial infrastructure.
- Oversight as Duty Officer for U.S. Fish & Wildlife firefighters of MN, dispatched and managed logistics of multiple equipment, personnel and resources around the nation.
Supervisory Fire Management Officer
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Litchfield, MN
01.2010 - 01.2015
- High risk response to the Deepwater Horizon rig drilling explosion with daily interagency aerial flights tracking oil sheen clean up in the Gulf of Mexico.
- Traveled as lead prescribed fire burn boss to several military bases conducting controlled burns.
- Instructor of multiple level fire courses building resilient future fire fighters.
Supervisory Wildland Firefighter
Redmond Hotshots
Redmond, OR
01.2008 - 01.2009
- Conducted initial attack & support with rapid-response for high-priority wildland fires.
- Team lead using specialized tactics for firing operations, line construction, technical tree felling.
- Mitigated and manage risks in dynamic environments for wildland fire containment.
- Self sufficient for extended operational periods in remote, inaccessible wilderness working in intense conditions at a high operational tempo.
Supervisory Wildland Firefighter
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Litchfield, MN
01.2004 - 01.2007
- Incident Commander of multiple fires around the nation with primary response flying in with helicopters as part of helitack crews and task forces of fire engines.
- Cache manager of wildland fire equipment and supplies for wildland fire response.
- Programmer for districts station radios and software.
- Managed local Remote Automated Weather Systems in coordination with the National Weather Service.
Wildland Fire Engine Captain
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Lakeview, OR
01.2003 - 12.2003
- Captain of 5 person wildland fire engine that responded to wildland fires.
- Cleaning and maintain of residential bunk house for fire staff.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Environmental & Natural Resources
University of Minnesota
Crookston, MN01-1999
Associates of Applied Science - Natural Resources
Central Lake Technical College
Brainerd, MN01-1996
Skills
- Directed multi-agency emergency operations, coordinating personnel, equipment, and logistics across large geographic areas to ensure rapid, effective incident response
- Led risk mitigation initiatives through prescribed fire and fuel management, reducing exposure to wildfire threats for communities and critical infrastructure
- Managed high-risk, fast-paced operations as part of national incident teams, making time-sensitive decisions under pressure with significant safety and financial implications
- Built and led high-performing teams, delivering training, mentorship, and performance oversight to drive operational readiness and safety compliance
- Executed complex field operations using specialized tactics and equipment, maintaining productivity and safety in remote, austere environments
- Oversaw assets, communications systems, and field technology, optimizing resource deployment and ensuring continuity of operations
Timeline
Supervisory Fire Management Officer
U.S. Wildland Fire Service
01.2016 - 01.2026
Supervisory Fire Management Officer
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
01.2010 - 01.2015
Supervisory Wildland Firefighter
Redmond Hotshots
01.2008 - 01.2009
Supervisory Wildland Firefighter
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
01.2004 - 01.2007
Wildland Fire Engine Captain
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
01.2003 - 12.2003
Bachelor of Science - Environmental & Natural Resources
University of Minnesota
Associates of Applied Science - Natural Resources
Central Lake Technical College