Grand Theft Auto III
Grand Theft Auto III

Firetruck Missions

Complete Firetruck missions in Grand Theft Auto III to earn cash and unlock a permanent Flamethrower. This guide details how to extinguish fires across Liberty.

Firetruck Missions

The Firetruck Missions in Grand Theft Auto III offer a unique challenge and a lucrative reward for dedicated players. By extinguishing fires across Liberty City, you can earn significant cash and unlock a permanent Flamethrower at your hideout. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to become Liberty City's most unlikely hero.

Starting the Mission

To begin the Firetruck Missions, you first need to acquire a Firetruck. These can be found in a few key locations:

  • Fire Stations: The most reliable place to find a Firetruck is at any of Liberty City's fire stations.
    • Portland: Located in Harwood, near the Portland Docks.
    • Staunton Island: Found in Belleville Park, close to the hospital.
    • Shoreside Vale: Situated in Pike Creek, not far from Francis International Airport.
  • Responding to Fires: Occasionally, you'll see a Firetruck responding to a random car fire or building fire. You can hijack it from the responding firefighters.

Once you're in a Firetruck, activate the mission by pressing the designated button (usually R3 on PlayStation controllers, or the equivalent action button on other platforms).

Mission Objective and Mechanics

The goal of the Firetruck Missions is to extinguish a set number of burning vehicles or pedestrians within a time limit. The mission progresses in levels, with each level requiring you to put out more fires across the current island. There are a total of 12 levels per island, meaning you'll need to complete 36 levels across all three islands to fully complete the mission.

Extinguishing Fires

To extinguish a fire:

  1. Drive your Firetruck close to the burning object or person.
  2. Aim the water cannon using the right analog stick (or equivalent camera controls).
  3. Press the fire button (usually Circle/B) to spray water.
  4. Hold the spray until the fire is completely out. You'll see the flames disappear and often hear a distinct sound effect.

Important Note: The water cannon has a limited range. You'll need to position your Firetruck strategically to reach all targets.

Strategies for Success

Vehicle Choice and Maintenance

  • Keep Your Firetruck Healthy: Your Firetruck can take damage, especially from crashing into other vehicles or objects. If your Firetruck gets too damaged, it will explode, failing the mission. Drive carefully!
  • Repairing Your Firetruck: There's no direct way to repair a Firetruck during the mission. If it's heavily damaged, consider finding a new one at a fire station before continuing to the next level.

Navigation and Time Management

  • Use the Mini-Map: Burning targets will appear as red dots on your mini-map. Prioritize targets that are close together to save time.
  • Learn the Island Layouts: Familiarity with Portland, Staunton Island, and Shoreside Vale will significantly reduce travel time between fires.
  • Avoid Unnecessary Detours: Stick to main roads as much as possible to reach targets quickly.
  • Watch the Timer: Each level has a time limit. While generally generous in earlier levels, it becomes tighter as you progress. Don't dawdle!

Dealing with Obstacles

  • Traffic: Liberty City traffic can be a nuisance. Use your siren (L3 or horn button) to encourage other vehicles to move out of your way.
  • Pedestrians: Be careful not to run over pedestrians while rushing to fires. This will attract police attention and can lead to unwanted Wanted Levels.
  • Wanted Levels: If you acquire a Wanted Level, it can make the mission significantly harder as police cars will actively pursue you. Try to avoid causing trouble. If you do get a Wanted Level, consider finding a Pay 'n' Spray, though this will interrupt the mission.

Rewards

Completing the Firetruck Missions offers excellent benefits:

  • Cash Rewards: You'll receive a cash bonus for each fire extinguished, with the reward increasing as you progress through the levels.
  • Flamethrower Unlock: Upon successfully completing all 12 levels on all three islands (a total of 36 levels), a Flamethrower will permanently spawn at your hideout in each district. This powerful weapon is incredibly useful for various combat scenarios and simply for causing mayhem.

The Firetruck Missions are a rewarding diversion that not only provides a good source of income but also unlocks a fantastic weapon. Master the art of firefighting and become a true hero (or anti-hero) of Liberty City!