The trailer for Fire Country Season 4 confirms a heartbreaking twist: Vince Leone (played by Billy Burke) is dead. The revelation was dropped on September 23, 2025, in a minute-long clip that opens the door to emotional upheaval in Edgewater.

After the cliffhanger finale of Season 3—which trapped Vince, Sharon (Diane Farr), and Walter (Jeff Fahey) in a collapsing building during a fire rescue—the teaser now clearly shows that Vince did not survive.

In the trailer, his son Bode (Max Thieriot) delivers what appears to be a eulogy next to a dress-blues photo of his father. Bode’s words: “I’m going to spend the rest of my career protecting my father’s town, my father’s station, my father’s mission” drive home the emotional stakes. The teaser also hints that the entire Station 42 crew might be suspended “effective immediately.”

Why Kill Vince? Behind the Decision

Co-creator Tony Phelan explained the tragedy was built into the story’s DNA. He said the series “felt like it was time for the show and the characters to have a loss.” Joan Rater echoed that choosing to reveal Vince’s death early was done out of respect: “to play Vince’s death as a gimmick … didn’t feel right.” Phelan admitted the decision led to difficult conversations with Burke, but left open the possibility of flashbacks, noting that “I won’t say never.”

Phelan further elaborated: Much of the storytelling over the first three seasons hinged on Vince and Sharon as parental anchors to their children. Losing Vince “means that we’ve got to find new combinations … and that leads to new stories and different emotional journeys.” Rater added that while Vince’s death is central, the show will lean into exploring how characters grieve, isolate, and attempt reconciliation.

Cast Shake-Up: Who’s Leaving, Who’s Staying

Just two cast changes headline Season 4. Billy Burke as Vince Leone will not return following the Season 3 cliffhanger. Stephanie Arcila (Gabriela Perez) has also exited as a series regular, though the show reportedly left the door open for future guest appearances.

Meanwhile, nine familiar faces are expected back in some capacity:

  • Max Thieriot (Bode Donovan / Leone),
  • Diane Farr (Sharon Leone),
  • Jordan Calloway (Jake Crawford),
  • Jules Latimer (Eve Edwards),
  • Kevin Alejandro (Manny Perez),
  • Rafael de la Fuente (Diego),
  • Leven Rambin (Audrey),
  • Jared Padalecki (Camden),
  • and Morena Baccarin (Sheriff Mickey Fox).

The premiere episode title is “Goodbye for Now,” a choice that suggests Gabriela’s story arc might not be entirely closed. Producers have reportedly reassured fans that Bode and Gabriela’s relationship “does not end here.”

Premiere Date, Trailer Release & Public Reaction

Season 4 of Fire Country premieres Friday, October 17, 2025, on CBS (and streams on Paramount+). On that night, the show launches before the spin-off Sheriff Country. After their premieres, the two series will swap time slots—Fire Country will air at 9 p.m. ET and Sheriff Country at 8 p.m. ET.

The trailer dropped on September 23, 2025, via Instagram, and confirmed the fan’s worst fears. It showed Bode giving the eulogy, Sharon suspending Station 42 from service, and tensions brewing around who will take over the battalion chief role.

Fan reaction was swift and emotional. One commenter wrote, “ARE YOU SERIOUS?!?!?! How could you all kill Vince off?! Billy Burke is the heart of the show!!!! 😭😭😭🔥🔥🔥.” Another expressed, “I can’t watch without Vince. Sorry 😢🔥.” Many social media users demanded Gabriela’s return, stressing the chemistry between Bode and her as irreplaceable.

 
 
 
 
 
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Plot Stakes & Station 42’s Future

With Vince gone, Station 42 faces instability. The teaser suggests the crew may be suspended, and Bode is vying for the battalion chief spot—“It’s my birthright!” he declares. The trailer also shows Jake being prevented from joining the rescue, leading to Bode’s ire: “I will never forgive this,” he warns Jake.

Co-creators say the show will explore fractures in relationships and how characters like Sharon and Bode each grieve in isolation. Shawn Hatosy’s character will also play a role; he may supervise fire stations struck by tragedy and decide whether to dissolve or rebuild them.

A crossover with Sheriff Country is confirmed. The two worlds will collide in a two-hour event, putting Edgewater’s future to the test.

What to Expect, What’s Unknown

Much is still under wraps. We don’t yet know whether Vince might appear via flashback. Will Gabriela return? The title “Goodbye for Now” suggests that possibility. How the new dynamic at Station 42 affects Jake, Eve, Manny, Diego, Audrey, and Camden remains to be seen.

Related: ‘Fire Country’ Season 4 Star Attends Premiere Event in Nashville

The impact of Vince’s death will echo through Season 4, pushing Bode to confront his identity without his father. Rater emphasized that the show will “play with” the inherently isolating ways the characters cope.

Conclusion

Season 4 of Fire Country marks a turning point. With Vince confirmed dead, the show pivots into territory defined by loss, tension, and the reshaping of familial and professional ties. Max Thieriot’s Bode must now forge his own legacy in the fire station left behind. October 17, 2025, can’t come soon enough for fans gearing up for one of the boldest seasons yet. The trauma is real—and this is no small goodbye.

 

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