Brandon Larracuente's 'Chicago Fire' Character Sal Vasquez Temporarily Reassigned, Not Leaving Show

Vasquez's absence in the latest episode sparked exit rumors, but the actor is not leaving the show

Feb. 5, 2026 at 3:55am

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Brandon Larracuente's character Sal Vasquez was absent from the latest episode of 'Chicago Fire' due to a story-driven decision where the character was temporarily reassigned to another station by City Hall. This sparked speculation that Larracuente might be leaving the show, but the actor is not departing 'Chicago Fire' and Vasquez is still part of Firehouse 51's team.

Why it matters

Vasquez has become a popular character on 'Chicago Fire' since joining as a series regular in Season 14, known for his confident and sometimes arrogant attitude. His budding romance with paramedic Violet Mikami has also drawn significant attention from viewers, making his temporary absence from the show noteworthy.

The details

In the latest episode, Vasquez was reassigned to another station by City Hall, keeping him off-screen. However, the character later texted Violet Mikami to say he missed the team, confirming he is still part of the show. Vasquez joined Firehouse 51 as a replacement for Firefighter Sam Carver, and his reckless decision-making has caused some tension with Firefighter Stella Kidd, who asked a battalion chief to review his files, though the chief refused.

  • The latest 'Chicago Fire' episode aired on February 4, 2026.
  • Vasquez was temporarily reassigned to another station by City Hall in this episode.

The players

Brandon Larracuente

The actor who portrays the character of Sal Vasquez on 'Chicago Fire'.

Sal Vasquez

A firefighter at Firehouse 51 who joined the show as a series regular in Season 14, known for his confident and sometimes arrogant attitude.

Violet Mikami

The paramedic in charge at Firehouse 51 who is in a budding romance with Vasquez.

Stella Kidd

A firefighter at Firehouse 51 who has expressed concerns about Vasquez's risky decision-making.

Dominick 'Dom' Pascal

The battalion chief who recruited Vasquez to Firehouse 51 as a favor, despite Kidd's concerns about his behavior.

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What’s next

Vasquez's temporary reassignment and the ongoing tension between him and Firefighter Stella Kidd will likely continue to be storylines explored in future episodes of 'Chicago Fire'.

The takeaway

While Vasquez's absence from the latest 'Chicago Fire' episode sparked exit rumors, the character is not leaving the show and remains an integral part of Firehouse 51's team, with his budding romance with Violet Mikami continuing to be a focus of the series.