Chicago Fire Season 14 is here, and it has more danger, stress, and big changes. After a mid-season break, the show will return with episode 8 on January 7, 2026. Rescues, cast changes, and the fight to save Engine 51 are all things that fans can look forward to.
This article talks about when the show will return, who is leaving, what has happened so far, and where you can watch it. This is all the information you need to either catch up or plan ahead.
When Does Chicago Fire Season 14 Return With Episode 8?
Image © 2025 Universal Television / Wolf Entertainment
Chicago Fire Season 14 starts back up on January 7, 2026, with episode 8. There was a break for the holidays. The season finale for fall aired on November 12, 2025, and left us with a big question mark.
Fans of the long-running Chicago Fire show will be able to jump right back into the action when the team is once again in danger. You can expect dramatic moments that pick up where the season’s earlier stories left off.
What Is the Confirmed Midseason Premiere Date?
Chicago Fire Season 14 starts back up on NBC at 9 p.m. ET. Fans can stream the show on Peacock the next day. On December 24, NBC took a break from its Chicago shows, but they are back now. After the break, fans were still waiting for answers about the wild episode before.
- Air date: January 7, 2026.
- Time: 9 p.m. ET on NBC.
- Stream: Peacock will have it on January 8, 2025.
What Happened in the Fall Finale Leading Into the Break?
There was a dangerous moment at the end of the fall finale. Severide, Van Meter, and Principal Cole were stuck in an apartment that was on fire. This devastating fire was linked to a suspicious high school fire being investigated. At the same time, Firehouse 51 might have had to close because the city was cutting its budget.
- Dangerous fire: Severus and others were locked up.
- Investigation: The fire at the school was intentionally set.
- City budget: Makes threats to turn off Engine 51.
Who Is Leaving Chicago Fire in Season 14?
Image © 2025 Universal Television / Wolf Entertainment
For the Chicago Fire Season 14, there are a lot of cast changes. A lot of familiar faces are leaving to make room for new ones. These exits will change how the team works together and give Firehouse 51 new challenges to solve.
Which Cast Members Are Confirmed to Exit?
There will be no more Jake Lockett and Michael Bradway in season 14. Daniel Kyri shows up for a short time to end the story of his character Ritter. This is another example of how the main cast has changed over the course of previous Chicago Fire seasons.
- Jake Lockett: Not coming back as Carver.
- Michael Bradway: Leaving the series as well.
- Daniel Kyri: Ritter’s exit arc makes a brief return.
Who Replaces These Characters on Screen?
Vasquez, a new firefighter assigned to Truck 81, played by Brandon Larracuente, takes Lockett’s place. Vasquez’s early episodes include scenes where he works to prove himself. When a new person joins the team, there is always more stress and rising chaos.
- Sal Vasquez: Brandon Larracuente played the part.
- Truck 81: Obtains a fresh Pierce Dash setup.
- Engine 51: Is in danger because of the city budget.
What Happened in the Previous Episodes of Season 14?
Image © 2025 Universal Television / Wolf Entertainment
Without a break, there were action and emotional twists in the first half of Chicago Fire Season 14. From the very first episode, Firehouse 51 had to deal with new problems, changes within the department, and field hits close to home. The creators, Dick Wolf, Michael Brandt, and Derek Haas, knew what the stakes were, so they raised them.
What Major Events Shaped Season 14 So Far?
At the start of the season, a new face joined Firehouse 51. There were unexpected roadblocks, a school fire, and a serious arson case. Kidd makes special efforts to help Isaiah, and Severide looks into fires that were caused by threats on social media.
- Severide investigates: Teenage group and school fire.
- Violet brings: An officer to the ambulance.
- Mouch takes steps: To help a friend.
- Pascal takes matters: Into his own hands during the chaos of the budget.
How Has Firehouse 51 Evolved This Season?
The team dealt with a number of crises and personal problems. Novak faced a tough case, and Violet was in charge of a new training protocol. Kidd, Pascal, and Cruz all did extra to keep the team strong, even though living in the city is hard and there are cuts.
- Training protocol: Makes things hard for paramedics.
- Old friend: Comes back to help Vasquez.
- Unknown ally: Helps Cruz find the answers.
What to Expect in Episode 8 of Chicago Fire Season 14?
Image © 2025 Universal Television / Wolf Entertainment
There is a lot of tension in episode 8 of Chicago Fire Season 14. People are excited to see what happens next after the fall finale. Several lives were in danger in the last episode, and the team had to make decisions that they couldn’t make.
The department is still in danger because of city budget cuts, and the next episode of Firehouse 51 will be full of danger, emotion, and changing alliances.
Will Severide Survive the Apartment Blaze?
Severide, Van Meter, and the school principal were trapped at the end of Chicago Fire Season 14. The fire started when police looked into a strange high school fire and found a social media group. Fans can look forward to a tense investigation and a rescue with a lot at stake. In this dangerous operation, every second counts because so much is at stake.
- Devastating fire catches: The team is caught in a terrible fire at a time when a life-or-death situation is the only option.
- Squad: The squad needs to move quickly to find and get rid of survivors.
- Firefighters: Inside buildings that aren’t stable, firefighters put their lives at risk.
- Identity of the arsonist: The arsonist’s identity may finally be known.
How Will Engine 51’s Future Be Addressed?
The city budget is making things harder to get. Engine 51’s future is becoming more and more scary. People expect Chief Pascal to fight back and keep his team safe. Firehouse 51 is going through big changes, so plans need to be made to keep it open. These problems with the budget might last until the end of the season later this year.
- Pascal’s quest: Pascal’s plan to keep Engine 51 running.
- City budget cuts: Cuts to the city budget could affect fire operations.
- Difficult choice: The command staff has to make a tough choice.
- There could be protests or a political storm over funding.
Where Can You Watch Chicago Fire Season 14 Episode 8?
There are easy ways to watch the newest episode of Chicago Fire Season 14. Fans can easily follow the story whether they watch it on NBC or a streaming service. The fourteenth season has been renewed for a fifteenth season, and the action will continue every week as planned. Prepare to be shocked as Firehouse 51 fights to stay together.
What Time and Channel Does It Air?
On Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at 9 p.m. ET, Episode 8 will air on NBC. There are shows on the network about Chicago during this time slot. Fans can count on new episodes coming out every week because they all come out at the same time.
- Air date: January 7, 2026.
- Time: 9 p.m. ET.
- Network: NBC.
- Fire season schedule: Every Wednesday.
What Are the Streaming Options Available?
Peacock is the official platform for people who want to stream. The show will be available to stream the next day. There are ads on the Premium plan, but they are taken out on the Premium Plus plan. There are times when students or people who buy an Apple TV together can get special deals.
- Stream with ads: $10.99/month
- Stream without ads: $16.99/month
- Watch anytime: Get to current and past episodes.
- Bundle options: Deals are available for many services.
Final Thoughts
Every episode of Chicago Fire season 14 is still dangerous and dramatic. From the strange high school fire to the investigation into the school fire, Dick Wolf, Michael Brandt, and Derek Haas keep things hot. Violet gives the ambulance courage, Stella Kidd fights to save the house, and Vasquez continues with his challenging job.
When the squad gets an unexpected call, firefighters show heart. Every week, you can watch on NBC as plans change, truck teams move, and the person who set the fire gains attention. The ending will be worth the trouble.
