Why There Is No Fire Country This Week (December 20) & When Season 3, Episode 9 Releases

Warning: this article contains SPOILERS for Fire Country season 3, episode 8.Fire Country will not air a new episode Friday night, December 20, 2024, and there's a good reason why. The third season has been quick to pick up steam, but unfortunately, there will be a wait to see what the future holds for Fire Country’s cast of characters. The drama following incarcerated individuals ("Three Rock") helping the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection ("Cal Fire") found its place on CBS’s primetime schedule thanks to its unique concept and memorable characters. The show has been so successful, there are already Fire Country spinoffs in production.

For fans of the original series, however, there are more questions than answers. Episode 8 of Fire Country season 3 didn’t necessarily end on a cliffhanger, but the fates of several series favorites remain uncertain. Manny’s (Kevin Alejandro) position at Three Rock is precarious now that he’s abandoned the group to save Gabriela (Stephanie Arcila). Eve (Jules Latimer) has finally reconnected with her family, while Luke (Michael Trucco) is doing everything possible to ruin his. Fire Country has sown the seeds for many new problems, but it'll be a while before they're solved.

Why There Is No Fire Country This Week (December 20)

CBS Is Focusing On The Holidays

Unfortunately, Fire Country is on winter break and won’t air a new episode on December 20, 2024. CBS will instead air the National Christmas Tree Lighting starting at 8 ET, followed by Josh Groban & Friends Go Home For The Holidays. It’s not unusual for scripted content to take the backburner during winter so that networks can prioritize live events and holiday specials. The break also gives shows time to write and film new episodes to complete the second half of the season.

Fire Country won’t be gone for good, however. CBS will air a rerun of Fire Country season 2, episode 5 (“This Storm Will Pass”) at 10 ET. Although viewers should expect the show’s typical Friday-night timeslot to be filled by holiday-related content for the next few weeks, CBS will likely continue airing Fire Country reruns throughout the month of December. For fans interested in a rewatch during the winter hiatus, all three seasons of Fire Country are on Paramount+. Whether viewers want to revisit memorable rescues or relive every death in Fire Country, episodes are streaming now.

When Will Fire Country Season 3, Episode 9 Release?

The Drama Will Return In 2025

Fire Country will return on Friday, January 31, 2025. While the wait is significant, it’s a standard hiatus for CBS primetime shows that typically run on different schedules from other networks. The six-week wait is the same as other CBS hits like Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage, which won’t return with new episodes until January 30. Though certainly disappointing, the wait could've been much worse.

Fire Country will return alongside major titles during CBS’s premiere week. Also airing on Friday, January 31 are the season 2 premiere of NCIS: Sydney and the return of S.W.A.T. (now at a new 10-11 p.m. timeslot). Fire Country will return at its usual time of 9 ET and is expected to air its second batch of episodes through spring. Though fans may be impatient, the fire drama will return much sooner than similar shows like ABC’s 9-1-1, which won’t air new episodes until March. Comparatively, the six weeks will fly by.

What To Expect From The Upcoming Fire Country Episode

Things Will Continue Heating Up For The Firefighters

Though CBS has not yet released the synopsis for Fire Country season 3, episode 9, there are major developments that the audience can expect to carry over from the first eight episodes. Bode’s firefighter arc in Fire Country season 3 may seem complete for now, but there’s never a dull moment at Cal Fire. Bode and Camden (Jared Padalecki) significantly affected each other, but viewers shouldn’t expect to see Padalecki return until the highly-anticipated Fire Country: Surfside spinoff airs. Leven Rambin’s Audrey James further complicates Fire Country season 3’s next plot, due to her and Bode’s undeniable chemistry.

While CBS has continued to prove that Bode is better off without Gabriela in Fire Country season 3, viewers are still divided on Bode’s potential new love interest. While many appreciate Audrey’s role in Fire Country season 3, others are still seeking proper closure to Bode and Gabriela’s relationship. Even still, a not insignificant portion of the audience believes Bode shouldn’t be with anybody while he’s still adjusting to life outside of prison. Though the show has many different routes it could potentially take, Fire Country’s hiatus will let the uncertainty brew for over a month.

Fire Country returns Friday, January 31, 2025 on CBS.