Actor Dennis Quaid Blasts California Officials While Praising Firefighters [WATCH]

Actor Dennis Quaid appeared on Primetime with Jesse Watters to discuss the harrowing experience of a wildfire that came dangerously close to his home.

While expressing profound gratitude for the heroic efforts of firefighters, Quaid also criticized California’s failing infrastructure and lack of preparedness in dealing with such disasters.

Jesse Watters opened the segment by asking Quaid about his current situation.

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“Dennis, we’re hearing that you returned to your house. Your family is not with you. Is that right?” Watters asked.

Quaid confirmed and immediately took the opportunity to thank the first responders. “No, they’re at a hotel and with friends right now, Jesse, and thanks for having me here. And before we get started, I’d like to thank Anthony Marmolejo, James Contreras, Mike Zimmerman, and John Kluwer from OES, 5113, from Fresno, who came down here to help out with this fire,” Quaid said.

“They can’t say enough about the firefighters who’ve been here. They’ve really made the difference. They’re the guys that are running in when everybody else is running out, and they made a difference right here on my block.”

Quaid described the fire’s proximity to his home, noting the quick action of helicopters and firefighters.

“The fire was not more than 100-150 yards away from taking out the whole block. I think you’re showing some footage that I shot today, the guys came down with these C-130s, and the helicopters knocked those little spring-ups of fire down and so far have saved the block. Hope the wind doesn’t change.”

Watters expressed relief, emphasizing the role of aerial support in containing the fire.

“Oh my God, you are lucky. Not a lot of people have gotten lucky, but thank God for some of these choppers and some of these men and women up in the air dumping this juice down and preventing this thing from spreading,” Watters said. “What is the vibe like? It has to be just sheer panic among the people living in this area.”

Quaid acknowledged the widespread panic and shared his experience witnessing the fire’s sudden escalation. “This is the worst one, bar none,” he stated.

“It started about 10:30 yesterday… I was coming down my stairs and out the window, this huge plume, and then within an hour, you started to see all this carnage that was going on on Palisades Drive and cars getting backed up and sheer panic.”

He added, “Thank God, as far as the deaths and injuries… they’ve been very low, and I hope that continues to be the case. I think we can credit that a lot to the firefighters that have come in and helped rescue and save people’s property.”

Quaid encouraged viewers to show appreciation for the firefighters working tirelessly. “If you get back in your house, today, tomorrow, the next day, a firefighter is going to be out there. If you go to Starbucks, get an extra coffee, get an extra sausage sandwich, get an extra anything, and hand it out to these guys,” he urged.

When Watters asked Quaid about the government’s response, the actor did not hold back. “Well, this has been a problem here in California. It’s just an inherent problem in California,” Quaid said.

He highlighted infrastructure issues, including a lack of water in the Palisades, and criticized local leadership.

“The infrastructure has been a big problem around here and where we should spend the money. I do have a difference with that,” he said. “The mayor coming back… you’ve gotta hit the ground running. We’ve gotta hit the ground running around here.”

Dennis Quaid Slams California Leaders Amid Firefighter Heroics…

Actor Dennis Quaid appeared on Primetime with Jesse Watters to discuss the harrowing experience of a wildfire that came dangerously close to his home.

While expressing profound gratitude for the heroic efforts of… pic.twitter.com/Bi0KRjmldz

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Quaid closed by noting that fires had already started in other parts of the area, highlighting the ongoing risk.

His remarks served as both a tribute to first responders and a call to action for better governance and preparedness in the face of California’s wildfire crises.

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