‘Fire Country’ EPs On Season 3 Finale Cliffhanger, Surprise Cast Departures & Shaking Things Up

SPOILER ALERT: The story includes details about the two-part Season 3 finale of CBS‘ Fire Country, “A Change In the Wild” and “I’d Do It Again.”

EXCLUSIVE: CBS’ Fire Country just delivered another suspenseful, emotional finale ending in a major cliffhanger. But its impact will go way beyond any previous season closers as Bode Leone (Max Thieriot) and Station 42 will be left reeling from the departures of two main characters next fall.

According to Deadline sources, Fire Country original cast members Stephanie Arcila, who plays firefighter and EMT Gabriela Perez, and Billy Burke, who plays Cal Fire battalion chief and Bode’s dad Vince Leone, will be leaving after three seasons.Burke’s Vince is part of the finale’s life-and-death cliffhanger involving Vince, his wife, Cal Fire Division Chief Sharon (Diane Farr), and his father, retired battalion chief Walter Leone (Jeff Fahey) trapped in burning memory care building with the roof collapsing on them.In an interview with Deadline, Fire Country co-creators/executive producers Joan Rater and Tony Phelan and executive producer/showrunner Tia Napolitano spoke about Arcila’s exit as a series regular and shared their hope that she would return as a guest star so “the epic love story of Bode and Gabriela” can continue. But they would not confirm Burke’s departure, opting to keep fans guessing whether it would be Sharon, Vince, Walter or Jake — who had given a two-week notice after accepting a new job — leaving the show.

The trio explained in detail the decision to make the first casting changes on the series after three seasons, the way it was reached and handled and the ramifications for the remaining characters, especially Bode who was held back by his captain and friend Jake (Jordan Calloway) from rushing in to help his parents and grandfather.

They addressed the resolution of Gabriela’s stalker storyline, which may create complications for ex-con-turned-firefighter Audrey (Leven Rambin), who shot Finn before Gabriela’s dad Manny (Kevin Alejandro) swooped in to keep him alive and was ready to cover for his daughter if she had pulled the trigger. Separately, Manny decided to go for the 42 captain position that was being vacated by Jake.

Napolitano and husband-and-wife Phelan and Rater — who all previously worked on ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy — also discussed the future of Three Rock, whose crew of incarcerated firefighters, led by captain Eve (Jules Latimer) valiantly but unsuccessfully tried to save the camp from the raging wildfire that also caused the building collapse with the Leones in it.

They trio also spoke about the big cliffhanger, the Leone family legacy and working on the firefighter drama during the L.A. wildfires.

DEADLINE: It’s been pretty bad week or so for California fire chiefs, coming off of what happened on ABC’s 9-1-1. Did you have any idea that they were doing something there too?

PHELAN: No, no, no idea at all.

RATER: But when you’re working on shows that have such danger and high stakes, it’s, I guess, to be expected that sh*t’s gonna happen.

PHELAN: Joan and I, having come from Grey’s Anatomy, we’re used to killing people. You always want to, on these shows, make sure that the threat is real, and also make sure that you are telling stories in an honest way, and that you’re finding the most exciting, creative way to tell the story.

Shaking up the cast: Why? And why now?

Fire Country Showrunners on Season 3 Finale and Big Changes for Season 4

• Cast shake-up: After three seasons with the same regular cast, Fire Country is embracing change for realism and to refresh the story. Departures were creative decisions, not budget-driven.

• Stephanie Arcila's exit: Gabriela’s storyline needed a reset. Producers hope to bring her back later for a meaningful return.

• Billy Burke's future: They are not confirming which characters survive the fire, but promise a major emotional loss.

• No episode cuts tied to exits: Departures are purely for storytelling, not budget reasons.

• Season 4 theme: Will deal heavily with loss, leadership changes, and rebuilding both Station 42 and Three Rock Camp. A slight time jump is possible but cliffhangers will be fully addressed.

• Jake's status: His two-week notice leaves his future open. Tension over leadership roles between Jake, Bode, and Manny is teased.

• Gabriela and Bode: Their love story is not over. Gabriela’s return is planned, similar to how ER handled Doug and Carol.

• Audrey and Bode: Audrey’s legal troubles and budding relationship with Bode will be major early Season 4 plots.

• Eve’s growth: She’ll lead the rebuilding efforts for Three Rock after the camp's destruction.

• Real-world fires impact: The LA wildfires heavily influenced the emotional tone and commitment to authentic firefighting stories.

• Season 4 preparation: Writers’ room will soon open; theme still to be decided. Potential for Jared Padalecki’s return is undecided.

Message to fans: Fire Country will stay true to its emotional roots — family, grief, resilience — but will evolve to keep stories fresh and compelling.