After that shocking Fire Country season 3 cliffhanger ending that saw Vince, Sharon, and Walter Leone trapped in the burning Buena Vista memory care center, fans were left to wonder who, if anyone, would make it out alive. Unfortunately, we found out in the season 4 trailer that one of these beloved characters didn't survive.
Cal Fire Battalion Chief Vince Leone (Billy Burke) sadly perished in the fire, leaving his wife, father, son, and the rest of the Station 42 team reeling from the devastating loss. The Fire Country season 4 premiere doesn't show Vince at all. However, it does confirm his death as well as show his funeral. During the funeral, Bode delivers a powerful and emotional eulogy. Following this scene, Vince is mentioned many times throughout the rest of the first episode.
Burke was already announced not to be returning as Vince for the fourth season back in April 2025. However, fans didn't think his character would be killed off. Maybe badly injured or something like that, but not gone for good. They were already mad that Burke was leaving the show in the first place, and the decision to kill off his character only added fuel to the fire.
Now that the first episode of Fire Country season 4 has come and gone, one of the series stars is speaking out in defense of the show’s bold creative choice. Diane Farr, who plays Sharon Leone, took to Instagram on Oct. 18 to address the outpouring of emotion and backlash from fans following the season 4 premiere. In a heartfelt post, she acknowledged the anger and sadness many viewers felt over Vince’s death, but emphasized the importance of the show portraying the real emotional stakes of firefighting.
In other words, she’s aware that fans are upset about Vince being killed off and isn’t ignoring their feelings. In fact, she validates the emotional reactions people are having. However, she also challenges viewers to consider the bigger picture. That a show centered around the dangers of firefighting can’t shy away from portraying the real and lasting consequences of the job.
By showing the death of a central, well-loved character like Vince, Fire Country is leaning into the emotional truth of the profession. Not everyone makes it home. Farr also suggested in her Instagram post that to avoid depicting that kind of loss would be to undermine the sacrifice firefighters make every day. However, she also promised in her post that Vince’s death won't just be a one-and-done plot point. The show will continue to explore the impact of his absence throughout the season.
"I know some of y’all are angry. I see those notes also. And I FEEL you. But let me ask an honest question. If we only show the risk in this vocation, week after week, without at least attempting to portray the profound loss that comes to both a firehouse and a family when a key player - when one of their own - falls … wouldn’t we be skipping the deepest part of portraying firefighters? 42’s chief is not going away easily or silently. Our writers have much to share on this. That honors the impact this character and this actor has made.
42’s chief is not going away easily or silently. Our writers have much to share on this. That honors the impact this character and this actor has made. The last photo here is from the funeral of my uncle. A firefighter who died peacefully in retirement long after he served his community. I offered it to our showrunner to share how big this loss is in every town in America when someone gives their life to service. You might see the photo is matched pretty closely in last night’s premiere.
Big feelings for the exit of Billy and Vince are a testament to his beautiful work. We have filmed half of Season 4 so far and we are honoring it all year long." - Diane Farr via Instagram
I personally was not happy at all about Burke not coming back as Vince and Vince's death altogether. But when I think about it from Farr's point of view, it starts to make a little more sense. She’s not just defending a writing decision. She’s pointing out that a show like Fire Country, which is built around the risks and realities of firefighting, has a responsibility to show what happens when those risks turn tragic.
Would I have liked to see a supporting character take that hit instead? Absolutely. It might have been easier to accept. But my guess is that the writers decided to kill off such a major character because then it would open up deeper storylines. It's not going to be easy watching Fire Country without Vince anymore, but I am curious about how the show will continue to explore the impact of his loss going forward.
A new episode of Fire Country season 4 airs every Friday night on CBS.