Keep track of nearby wildfires and evacuations with Watch Duty. Access real-time updates, shelter locations, and fire alerts in one app.
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| Watch Duty app offers live alerts, fire tracking, and evacuation information to keep you safe during wildfires. Illustration: ChicHue |
California, USA --- January 9, 2025:
As wildfires continue to ravage Southern California, an innovative app is providing residents with crucial real-time information to keep them safe. Watch Duty, a non-profit service, is assisting those affected by wildfires like the Palisades and Eaton fires by offering real-time alerts, tracking nearby blazes, and providing vital information about shelter locations, evacuation orders, and firefighting efforts.
The app was founded by John Mills, a California resident who experienced the devastating Walbridge Fire in 2020. Mills, who was forced to evacuate from his home in Sonoma County, recalled the anxiety of constantly refreshing his browser to find updates on the fire. This experience sparked the creation of Watch Duty, which aims to streamline and verify wildfire information to help others avoid the same confusion and fear.
Watch Duty works by monitoring emergency dispatch systems and other public sources for updates on active wildfires. Reporters, including active and retired firefighters and first responders, continuously verify information and provide timely updates to users via the app. The app also offers features like air quality monitoring, wind direction, flight tracking, and information on active fire perimeters and evacuation zones.
Launched in August 2021, Watch Duty has been downloaded over 2.8 million times and is available for free on the App Store, Google Play, and through a web browser. The app covers 14 states, including California, and is a critical tool for anyone living in or near wildfire-prone areas.
For those in the path of current fires, Watch Duty provides a consolidated platform to stay updated on evacuation orders, shelter locations, and emergency services in real time.
With wildfires a constant threat in many regions, Watch Duty aims to help people stay safe and informed, making it an essential tool for residents across the western United States.