Watch Dutyservice that monitors wildfires in 22 states, has become a critical resource for Residents of Los Angeles are facing devastating wildfires.
The app and website, operated by a non-profit that collects real-time dispatch information and vet alerts through a team of staff and about 200 volunteers, he saw an increase of 600,000 users in a 24-hour period last week at the start of wildfires in Los Angeles County. On Sunday since the beginning of the firestens of thousands of buildings were destroyed and more than 100,000 people were displaced, with at least 24 deaths.
In addition to providing searchable maps and alerts on where wildfires are occurring, Watch Duty provides information on air quality and wind direction and resources for evacuation and shelter information, and sends alerts when fires threaten life or property . The service, which launched in 2021, has among its volunteers retired and active firefighters and dispatchers who help verify information from fire cameras, satellites, radio scanners, reports from police and fire departments, and user-submitted photos and tips.
Watch Duty zoomed to the top of Apple's App Store download charts last week, as ever several times in the past during other wildfire incidents. It remains in the top 10 there this week and also in the Google Play Store.
The nonprofit's CEO, John Clark Mills, a software entrepreneur who started Watch Duty after a close call with a wildfire near his home in Northern California, said the app's success has been “bittersweet.” He wrote on LinkedIn this week: “Most days I absolutely love what I do, it is truly an honor to serve and I am very grateful for the privilege to do so. “This is not one of those days.”
“The amount of destruction I've witnessed in less than 24 hours is really hard to take.” Mills wrote last week.
As of Tuesday, a week after the fires started, the Palisades Fire is spreading only 17% containedand the Eaton fire 35%, according to The New York Times.
Los Angeles Times reported that Watch Duty has raised $2 million in membership fees, $600,000 in donations and $3 million in grants. It provides additional features, such as tracking firefighting aircraft, with memberships starting at $25 per year. As of mid-December, Watch Duty had more than 7.2 million active users.
On social media, the application was discussed and recommended by users, including ESPN's Mina Kimes, Signal President Meredith Whittaker and CBS News Correspondent Jonathan Wigloti.