Fire Country has officially returned to CBS for its fifth season, bringing high-stakes rescue emergencies back to the fictional town of Edgewater. Premiering on Friday, October 9, at 9 p.m. ET/PT, the hit drama steps into a fresh era defined by new creative leadership, a shortened 13-episode order, and major plot developments for Bode Leone and the rest of the Station 42 crew.
Following the catastrophic flooding caused by the Pineville Dam collapse in the Season 4 finale, the fifth season kicks off with an emergency during Edgewater’s annual Founders’ Day celebration. Instead of celebrating, Station 42 is forced to mobilize when a massive sinkhole opens up beneath Main Street, trapping local residents underground and setting the tone for a thrilling run of episodes.
What Happens in Fire Country Season 5?
The opening episode, titled “Founders’ Day,” immediately tests the resilience of the community and the firefighting unit. Bode Leone, played by Max Thieriot, continues his ongoing journey to build trust within the community and cement his future as a dedicated firefighter. However, new challenges quickly complicate his progress.
Among the major additions to the storyline is the introduction of a brand-new character: Cecilia Jade “CJ” Ryan, portrayed by Olivia Thirlby. CJ is a decorated, quick-witted urban firefighter who arrives in Edgewater after spending six months on the road following a departure from her city post. Though she lacks initial experience with woodland fires, Bode spots her potential and believes she could become a valuable asset to Station 42.
Behind the Scenes and Production Changes
Season 5 introduces several behind-the-scenes adjustments for the procedural drama. Eric Guggenheim, known for his work on Magnum P.I., has taken over as the showrunner and executive producer, succeeding Tia Napolitano, who steered the series through its first four seasons.
Additionally, CBS trimmed the episode count to 13 weekly episodes, making it shorter than the 20-episode run of Season 4. Filming for the fifth season kicked off in June 2026 across various locations in British Columbia, Canada, including Vancouver, Anmore-which serves as the real-world look for fictional Station 42-and Surrey’s Cloverdale district to maintain the authentic small-town Northern California aesthetic.
Upcoming Sheriff Country Crossover Event
Fans of the broader franchise can also look forward to a crossover event with the spin-off series Sheriff Country. Scheduled for Friday, November 6, 2026, the two-part television event begins with Sheriff Country at 8 p.m. ET/PT with the episode “No Way In,” followed immediately by Fire Country at 9 p.m. ET/PT with “No Way Out.” The crossover centers around a dangerous prison break that spirals into a high-tension hostage crisis and manhunt, bringing Deputy Mickey Fox and her team together alongside Bode and Station 42.
How to Watch Fire Country Season 5
New episodes air live weekly on Friday nights at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CBS. For streaming viewers, episodes are available on Paramount+. Subscribers to the Paramount+ Premium plan can stream new episodes live as they air on television, while subscribers on any Paramount+ plan (Essential or Premium) can stream new episodes on demand the day after their initial broadcast. Prior seasons (Seasons 1 through 4) remain fully available on demand via the platform.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fire Country Season 5
When did Fire Country Season 5 premiere?
Fire Country Season 5 premiered on Friday, October 9, 2026, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CBS and Paramount+.
How many episodes are in Season 5?
Season 5 consists of 13 weekly episodes, which is shorter than the 20-episode run of Season 4.
Who plays the new firefighter in Season 5?
Actress Olivia Thirlby joins the cast as Cecilia Jade “CJ” Ryan, a decorated urban firefighter who transfers to Edgewater.
Who is the new showrunner for Season 5?
Eric Guggenheim stepped in as the showrunner and executive producer for Season 5, succeeding Tia Napolitano.
When is the Sheriff Country crossover scheduled?
The crossover event airs on Friday, November 6, 2026, starting with Sheriff Country at 8 p.m. ET/PT and continuing with Fire Country at 9 p.m. ET/PT.
Where is Fire Country filmed?
While set in Northern California, the show is filmed primarily in British Columbia, Canada, utilizing areas in Vancouver, Anmore, and Surrey.
