Dolvett Quince, a personal trainer best known for appearing on Biggest Loser seasons 12 to 17, has been taking to social media as one of many Californians misplaced from their homes as wildfires spread across Los Angeles County.

Quince says he first heard about the fires on social media and that he could see the smoke in his home only 2 miles from the Palisades. 

“I stayed that night. It was very difficult to breathe in my home because you could smell the ashes and there was just the smoke in the air. It was getting in my throat, through my nose, through my eyes, to my dogs the same thing, and we all decided to just have a bag packed just in case. And then we got an evacuation notice the next day. There was a warning.

Firefighters work from a deck as the Palisades Fire burns a beachfront property Jan. 8, 2025, in Malibu, Calif.  (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)

The community surrounding him is already showing signs of bouncing back.

“I saw people helping others with bottled waters, and exactly what I’m gonna do when I get off here with you and go out into the community and help people,” he said. “I think energetically the shift has occurred here in Los Angeles where people are actually taking care of each other and helping others.”

He also expressed some disappointment, as most wildfire victims have, at the preparedness of the government in an area well known for frequent fires and earthquakes.

“I feel as if we know the problem, but we weren’t prepared for the problem despite knowing,” he expressed. “We pay too many taxes to get this limited care.”

Hollywood Hills fire (FOX Weather)

He did, however, praise firefighters throughout the area and neighboring countries for their quick response and assistance, saying they deserve more for all their hard work.

“The response time with the firemen and the first responders, the firemen and the firewomen who came was amazing, absolutely amazing,” Quince said enthusiastically. “Firefighters should be paid more, firefighters should be appreciated more, and I think as a state, especially in states that are susceptible to fires, I think there should be a bump there. There should absolutely be we care enough for your hard work and what you have to go through to sacrifice your life and your families lives to do the work that you’re doing. We should take better care of them.”