COEUR d’ALENE — Better watch out, better not cry, better not pout, I’m telling you why: Santa Claus is coming to town — in a big red fire truck.

The Coeur d’Alene Fire Department kicks off its mobile Santa Food Drive this afternoon in Coeur d’Alene. Firefighters will escort Santa through neighborhoods west of Seventh Street and south of Appleway starting at 4:30 p.m. and ending at 8:30 p.m.

The escort will continue to hit neighborhoods all over the city each night until Dec. 23.

People interested in seeing Santa can track him on the Santa Tracker 2000 on the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department’s website at www.cdafire.org.

Santa will be traveling in a decked-out fire engine flashing the red lights and playing Christmas music. Residents are encouraged to come outside to meet Santa and donate a can of non-perishable food. Santa and the firefighters will be handing out candy canes and other surprises.

While firefighters would like to hit every house in Coeur d’Alene, that probably won’t happen, according to information on the fire department’s website.

“Even though Santa can make it to everyone’s house when being pulled by Rudolph and the gang, our fire engine is not that fast,” the website states. “We would love to come to every house in Cd’A but it's just not possible.”

Firefighters will escort Santa throughout Coeur d’Alene each night from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Dec. 19 — West of Seventh Street, south of Appleway Avenue

Dec. 20 — East of Seventh Street, south of Appleway Avenue

Dec. 21 — East of Highway 95, north of Appleway Avenue

Dec. 22 — West of Highway 95, north of Appleway Avenue and South of Dalton Avenue

Dec. 23 — West of Highway 95, north of Dalton Avenue and South of Prairie