Watch Duty: A Lifeline during Southern California Wildfires
As wildfires continue to impact Southern California, forcing over 100,000 residents to evacuate their homes, an innovative app from the Bay Area is stepping up as a crucial source of real-time information amidst a wave of misinformation.
Real-Time Tracking and Support
Developed by Sherwood Forestry Service, a nonprofit based in Santa Rosa, Watch Duty has emerged as a primary tool for monitoring wildfire risks and firefighting activities. The app has surged in popularity, briefly surpassing established platforms like ChatGPT to become the top free app in Apple’s App Store.
As of Wednesday morning, Watch Duty reported an impressive growth in its user base, reaching 7.2 million active users annually, with an increase of 1.4 million since the inception of the fires near Los Angeles on Tuesday, according to CEO John Mills. “Techies are obsessed with going to Mars and inventing an AGI robot to do art,” Mills stated. “But I’m obsessed with time and life.”
Community-Centric Initiative
Launched three years ago, Watch Duty consists of a small team of 15 employees and approximately 200 volunteers. The app has quickly become indispensable for residents, firefighters, city authorities, and journalists. Many users have taken to social media to commend its timely notifications and monitoring capabilities, which empower them to keep track of their homes from afar.
In 2024 alone, Watch Duty logged over 9,000 wildfires across 22 states. It relies on a dedicated network of active and retired firefighters, dispatchers, and first responders to track critical radio communications, analyze data from the National Weather Service, and verify information before disseminating alerts to users in potential danger. To ensure continuous monitoring of wildfires, Mills revealed that volunteers are working in shifts, even including a contributor from Australia focused on the Los Angeles fires.
A Personal Journey Highlighting Community Safety
Mills, who created Watch Duty after relocating to a high-risk fire area in Sonoma County, was inspired to develop the app following a fire incident that left him without proper warning. Drawing from his experience as a software engineer, Mills aimed to create a platform akin to a “megaphone” for verified fire information. In regions prone to wildfires, community members often struggle with unverified and misleading social media content. “I had to convince these country folk that I’m not a Silicon Valley tech bro here to take advantage of their community,” he said, emphasizing the nonprofit’s commitment to community over profit.
Combatting Misinformation
As its profile has increased, Watch Duty has also taken an active stance against misinformation surrounding the California fires. In response to public figures like Elon Musk spreading concern over fire management and government efficiency, the app has emphasized the reality of firefighting challenges. “Sorry to burst your bubble but there aren’t enough men, women, or equipment to deploy enough water to stop wind-driven fires like this,” the organization confidently replied on social media.
Officials have voiced their concerns over the rampant misinformation, highlighting the dangers of social media in disaster reporting. Mills noted that wildfires often give rise to conspiracy theories online, and he advocates for the necessity of factual communication during crises. “What we don’t believe in however, is yelling on Twitter about ‘what should have been done’ while people are running for their lives. Do better,” Mills remarked, underscoring the app’s non-political stance focused solely on safety and life-saving information.
Future Aspirations
Currently, Watch Duty remains committed to delivering accurate information amid the Southern California fires. Looking ahead, Mills envisions the app evolving into a comprehensive “disaster platform for the world,” equipped to provide timely and factual information for various natural disasters, including floods and wildfires. “Whether you’re dealing with a torrential flood or an impending wildfire, you need facts,” he concluded.
