‘Fire Country’ Season 4: Why Vince Leone Dies and How Brett Richards Reshapes Station 42
What the Fire Country season 4 premiere confirms
On October 17, 2025, CBS aired the Fire Country season 4 premiere that confirmed Battalion Chief Vince Leone, played by Billy Burke
Why Chief Leone was killed off
Showrunner Tia Napolitano has said the writers chose a loss that reflects the dangers firefighters face and that the season will keep honoring Vince Leone’s absence.
Who’s replacing Vince at Station 42
The premiere also installed a new battalion chief: Brett Richards, played by Shawn Hatosy. Brett arrives with a reputation for shaking up struggling houses, and his style immediately clashes with a grieving crew still identifying as “the house of Leone.” Napolitano said of Brett’s approach, “I’m going to reinvent it, not rebuild it,” and warned that everyone will feel “under the microscope.” She added, “I think no one’s job is safe. The culture sure isn’t safe.”
The almost-alternate death and a two-loss scenario
Writers considered killing Walter Leone instead of Vince to create shock and momentum, and there was even discussion of two deaths—Vince and Walter—which would have compounded Sharon’s burden as both spouse and division chief. The team ultimately chose Vince’s death as the most surprising and story-driving outcome for season 4.
Cast and characters explicitly cited in the premiere coverage
- Vince Leone — Billy Burke. The fallen Station 42 battalion chief whose death defines season 4’s stakes.
- Sharon Leone — Diane Farr. Cal Fire Division Chief, widow of Vince, and central voice on grief and leadership.
- Walter Leone — (character referenced as Vince’s father). Survived the Edgewater fire.
- Brett Richards — Shawn Hatosy. The incoming battalion chief whose mandate is to “reinvent” Station 42.
- Mickey — Morena Baccarin. Mentioned in prior case coverage as a deputy sheriff tied to the Leones.
- Gabriela Perez — Stephanie Arcila. Appears in season 4 materials referenced in coverage.
- Manny Perez — Kevin Alejandro. Appears in season 4 materials referenced in coverage.
Dates, times, and context cited in reporting
- Season 4 premiere date: October 17, 2025 (CBS at 9/8c).
- Instagram statement date: October 19, 2025.
- Prior episode references: “See You Next Apocalypse” aired Friday, March 1 (9:00–10:00 PM, ET/PT). “Alert the Sheriff” aired Friday, April 12 (9:00–10:00 PM, ET/PT).
What Fire Country season 4 means going forward
Cubs Face Crucial Decision On Shota Imanaga’s Contract — Breaking Down The Options
When the Chicago Cubs signed Shota Imanaga, the top line of the deal was four years and $53 million. But the deal is about as creative as one could imagine.
No, it’s not Shohei Ohtani creative. But this offseason does represent a real fork in the road for Imanaga and the Cubs, a franchise the former Japanese star wanted to play for so much that he stealthily slipped into Chicago before Cubs Con in 2023 to get a feel for the city before he signed the deal.
Now? He could end up being a rich man or a free agent. It isn’t just about the money. It’s about Imanaga’s future and whether he’s a fit for the Cubs for what could be the next three years. Chicago won’t have much time to make that decision after the World Series, either.
Shota Imanaga’s Contract Paths
Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
As presented by Jordan Bastian at MLB.com, the easiest thing the Cubs could do would be to trigger a club option to keep the left-hander. But it isn’t an ordinary option. Most contract options are year-to-year. This option, as written into the deal, is a three-year option. If Chicago triggers it, then it’s tied to Imanaga for three more seasons at a cost of $57.75 million.
That means the Cubs are comfortable with tying themselves to the 32-year-old for three more years. On paper, that works. He is 24-11 with a 3.28 ERA in 54 starts since he joined Chicago in 2023. But he’s spent time on the injured list both seasons, and he’ll be 35 at the end of the deal. The Cubs may not be comfortable with the money and his age.
If the Cubs aren’t comfortable, perhaps Imanaga is? By declining the option, the Cubs then put the lefty’s future in his hands. He would then have a one-year option that is worth $15.25 million. If Imanaga wants to stay at that cost, he can do so.
But it also triggers a different option for the Cubs. After the 2026 season, the three-year option would become a two-year option for Chicago, and the process would repeat.
That might be a good middle ground for the Cubs. But Imanaga may feel he’s worth more on the open market. Plus, by entering the market he would compete with San Diego’s Michael King, Houston’s Framber Valdez and San Diego’s Dylan Cease for the top free agent starting pitcher on the market.
The final option is both sides declining the option. In that case, the Cubs do have one final arrow in the quiver — the qualifying offer. Teams are allowed to make a qualifying offer to impending free agents. This year the QO is an estimated $22 million. Imanaga can take the money or turn it down. But, if another team signs Imanaga, then Chicago gets draft pick compensation.
Right now, Chicago has Matthew Boyd, Jameson Taillon, Cade Horton and Javier Assad under contract. That is four-fifths of a starting rotation. Imanaga would complete it before the Cubs even hit free agency.
But that’s the question. Do the Cubs want Imanaga? Does Imanaga want the Cubs if they don’t trigger the option? Soon, the Cubs will have to figure that out.
