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Recent wildfires in the Los Angeles region have wreaked havoc, leading to significant destruction of homes and prompting widespread evacuations. There have been reports of multiple fatalities, with no relief in sight as the danger persists.
During this challenging time, many individuals are relying on a mobile application called Watch Duty to stay informed about the evolving situation and receive urgent updates. This app compiles information from governmental sources, news reports, and live camera feeds to provide real-time insights into the fires’ impact.
Users have the option to subscribe for the latest notifications, although some have advised against this, pointing out that the volume of alerts can become overwhelming in the midst of an emergency.
The app is accessible on both Android and iOS, and it also features a web dashboard for users to monitor the situation. Watch Duty consolidates information from both officials and community volunteers, clearly marking the sources for clarity.
Watching the play by play on the Watch Duty app with all these fires going on around me. Thank you so much to all the Firefighters battling these fire since yesterday ! #PalasadesFire #EatonFire pic.twitter.com/rMkkzPtOv0
— N I K ✨ (@RemixNik) January 8, 2025
The app provides updates through images and videos, along with vital information such as danger zones, evacuation instructions, and shelter locations. Currently, it operates in 22 states, including the wildfire-affected California.
Platforms like Reddit, X, Facebook, and Instagram have seen a surge of posts from locals and supporters encouraging others to download Watch Duty, which has rapidly gained popularity and soared to the top of download charts, reports TechCrunch.
Notably, Watch Duty is managed by a nonprofit organization that operates on a limited budget, specifically the Santa Rosa-based Sherwood Forestry Service.
Monitoring our LA home from across the country using Watch Duty. So far it’s safe, but the Sunset fire introduced a wave of anxiety. This is heartbreaking for so many. 💔 pic.twitter.com/l79tDxm9mW
— Ryan Hoover (@rrhoover) January 9, 2025
Watch Duty was created by John Mills, who was motivated to develop the app after moving to an area at high risk for wildfires. His own struggles with finding reliable information during emergencies inspired him to take action.
“It started with me convincing them I was not a Silicon Valley tech bro. I was not here to profit from disasters, and I lived here too,” Mills told The Los Angeles Times.
According to The Washington Post, the application has achieved over 4 million downloads. It is free to use; however, a subscription option is available for users who want access to additional resources, including flight tracking and firefighting insights.
Interestingly, while Watch Duty has only a small staff of around a dozen people, it benefits from a volunteer network exceeding 200 individuals that includes both active and retired firefighters and dispatchers.
Thank god for Watch Duty and social media because sending out a mass evacuation alert even to safe areas is peak incompetence
— The King of Burbank (@akingofburbank) January 10, 2025
Users are encouraged to submit their own photos documenting the unfolding circumstances and keep track of hazard zones, which are derived from both satellite imagery and official data. You can access the web version of Watch Duty for more details.
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