‘Fire Country’ Shortens Season 5 Episode Order, CBS Addresses Changes

CBS is venturing into new territory with one of its most dependable Friday night shows. ‘Fire Country’, the firefighter drama led by Max Thieriot, which debuted as the top new broadcast series of its premiere season, is set to have a significantly reduced episode count for its upcoming fifth season, prompting fans to question the reasoning behind this decision.

As reported by Deadline, ‘Fire Country’ will consist of 13 episodes in Season 5, a decrease from the 20 episodes produced this season. This marks the show’s shortest regular season since its inception, a stark contrast to its original 22-episode season and the two subsequent 20-episode seasons following a strike-affected Season 2.

This reduction is part of a broader trend at CBS. The network is also scaling back episode orders for ‘NCIS: Origins’, which is entering its third season, and ‘NCIS: Sydney’, which is moving into its fourth season, with both shows set to air just 10 episodes after previously airing 18 and 20 episodes, respectively. Additionally, ‘Matlock’ will also see a cut, heading into its third season with 13 episodes.

The driving force behind this reduction for ‘Fire Country’ seems to be CBS’s unusually packed scripted lineup for the 2026-2027 season. The network is introducing several new dramas, including ‘NCIS: New York’, featuring LL Cool J and Scott Caan, and legal drama ‘Cupertino’ from the creators of ‘The Good Wife’, both slated for 20 episodes in their debut seasons. Additionally, the new procedural ‘Einstein’ is set for a 13-episode midseason launch. With so many new shows vying for airtime, established series like ‘Fire Country’ are being squeezed.

As a result, ‘Fire Country’ will leave its fall lineup earlier than usual next season, with the reduced episode count reflecting CBS’s need to accommodate more scripted content.

This episode cut comes at a challenging time for the series. Several cast members have departed in recent seasons, including Billy Burke at the end of Season 3 and Stephanie Arcila at the beginning of Season 4. These changes have already impacted the on-screen dynamics, and showrunner Tia Napolitano, who has been with the series since the pilot, is also stepping down at the end of the current season to focus on her own development deal with CBS Studios.

CBS Entertainment President Amy Reisenbach and CBS Studios President David Stapf acknowledged in a joint statement that Napolitano “has been instrumental in helping both build and steer ‘Fire Country’, which not only became a top series but is also the foundation of a growing universe.” Napolitano herself expressed her pride in the series through a statement via TVLine: “I am beyond proud of the past four seasons of ‘Fire Country.’ All of my gratitude to our cast, crew, writers, producers, fans, and of course CBS and CBS Studios.” No replacement showrunner has been announced yet, leaving the series’ creative direction uncertain as it heads into what could be a pivotal season.

The ratings for ‘Fire Country’ are noteworthy, as the show is not struggling. The firefighter drama consistently wins its Friday time slot, averaging 8.1 million live-plus-35 multi-platform viewers in Season 4 so far. Season 3 even saw a significant increase, averaging 9.45 million viewers. These figures are strong by modern broadcast standards, making the reduced episode order seem less like a punishment and more a result of CBS’s aggressive expansion into new programming.

It remains to be seen if the shorter season indicates potential trouble for the show’s long-term future or if Season 5 could be its last if ratings do not hold. Creators Max Thieriot and executive producers Tony Phelan and Joan Rater remain attached, providing some continuity as the series navigates this leadership transition.

The Season 4 finale of ‘Fire Country’ is set to air on May 22 on CBS. Whether the show can maintain its momentum after that cliffhanger amidst a busier CBS lineup is a pressing question for fans.

Share your thoughts in the comments about ‘Fire Country’ heading into its shortest season yet and whether you believe the CBS drama can continue to thrive amid these changes.