Watch Duty: The Essential Fire-Tracking App Dominating the Charts
In a remarkable shift, Watch Duty, an app dedicated to tracking wildfires through live maps and timely alerts, has climbed to the No. 1 spot on Apple’s App Store for free apps as of Wednesday morning. This surge comes as Southern California grapples with devastating fires, dethroning ChatGPT, which had held the top position in the U.S. since August 9, according to Appfigures.
Launched in 2021, Watch Duty has become an indispensable tool for firefighters and first responders across the western United States. The app aggregates information from a robust network of active and retired firefighters, first responders, official government reports, and vigilant volunteer reporters who tirelessly monitor radio scanners. Unlike other apps that largely rely on government alerts, Watch Duty boasts more real-time updates.
- Real-time alerts for nearby fires
- Evacuation warnings
- Firefighting efforts
- Ability to check fire status in other areas
“Friends in LA: Download the Watch Duty app to track the fire in real time,” advised Ryan Petersen, CEO of Flexport, highlighting its utility with granular updates and video feeds.
{Ryan Petersen via Twitter}
While it’s a powerful tool, the app isn’t a substitute for official directives. As Los Angeles County faces evacuation orders due to the Palisades Fire near Santa Monica and Eaton Fire near Pasadena, over 70,000 residents are turning to Watch Duty for updates. The Associated Press reports that these fires have already destroyed over 1,000 structures and claimed at least two lives, fueled by winds reaching 100 mph.
The app’s rise is not just about numbers but safety and peace of mind for those in fire-prone areas. Its founder and CEO, John Mills, shared with The Washington Post that his motivation to start Watch Duty stemmed from relocating to a fire-prone region in Northern California.
This article originally appeared on January 8 and was updated on January 9 to reflect ChatGPT’s tenure at the top spot.
