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Facts & Stats

2021

Founded

70+

Volunteers

500K+

Downloads

400+

Counties

Boilerplate

Nearly every wildfire fatality occurs within the first hour yet official notifications are often delayed, sparse, or non-existent.  Watch Duty, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, alerts you of nearby wildfires and firefighting efforts in real-time, when every second counts.

Our service is powered by real people – active and retired firefighters, dispatchers, and first responders – who diligently monitor radio scanners and collaborate around the clock to bring you up-to-the-minute life saving information.

In short order with no funding we have grown to 500,000 active users in California and are utilized in every Red Cross and Office of Emergency Services, garnering the attention of Wired, The Guardian, and Popular Science. Now we have assembled a full-time team to support our 60+ volunteer operation to expand throughout the entire American West.

Short Description

Watch Duty, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, alerts you of nearby wildfires and firefighting efforts in real-time.

Brand Assets

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Official Watch Duty logo’s

App Screenshots

Watch Duty application screenshots displaying various aspects of the app

News

The Silicon Valley veterans who want to bring you wildfire info in real time

Watch Duty, launched last year, sends users push notifications about new and spreading fire, giving them vital time to prepare

A Crowdsourced Wildfire App Tracks All of California’s Blazes

Watch Duty is already a lifeline for the state’s residents. Its reach could soon extend to more disasters and regions.

This app is helping Californians stay on top of wildfire risks

An inside look at Watch Duty, a website called The Lookout, and a citizen-led quest for better information about fire dangers.

What to know about Watch Duty app, the citizen-directed wildfire alert system

"We’re not here telling anybody to evacuate. We’re the ones who are letting you know more information in real-time to make informed decisions," Watch Duty co-founder and CEO John Clarke Mills says.

Meet Watch Duty: the nonprofit app crowdsourcing wildfire data in real time

When the Walbridge fire ripped through northwest Sonoma County last year, Mills’ home was threatened, and he spent hours each day checking for updates on Facebook and Twitter, which were exploding with messages from concerned homeowners just like himself.

Citizen-Driven Network Monitors Public Service Radio For Natural Disaster Alerts

Time is of the essence in almost every emergency situation, especially when it comes to wildfires. A wind-driven fire can roar across a fuel-rich landscape like a freight train, except one that can turn on a dime or jump a mile-wide gap in a matter of seconds.

New app allows users to track wildfires in real time

As we move further into fire season, a new resource is aiming to keep Californians on top of wildfire risks and response.

California wildfire alert app coming to Oregon

Watch Duty, a wildfire alert app run by active and retired firefighters and first responders, is expanding its coverage to Oregon next week.

New wildfire information app to launch this week in the Northwest

The Watch Duty wildfire app will become available to users in several Western states, including Washington, Idaho and Oregon, beginning May 2.

Fire reporting app ‘Watch Duty’ launches in Oregon with real-time updates

A fire reporting app that allows users to report and monitor new and spreading fires in real time made its debut in Oregon and across the western U.S. Tuesday.

New wildfire information app launches in Oregon

The app is called Watch Duty and it was launched two years ago in California after the CEO and co-founder, John Mills, nearly lost his home from wildfires in 2020.

Wildfire information app expands to Oregon

A California nonprofit company has introduced an app that allows people to monitor wildfires in their area.

Get to Know The Watch Duty Fire Alert App

Nearly every wildfire fatality occurs within the first hour, yet official notifications are often delayed, sparse, or non-existent. Watch Duty, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, alerts you of nearby wildfires and firefighting efforts in real time when every second counts.

New app aims to keep people safer during wildfire season

The Inland Northwest is quickly heading into fire season, and this year residents will have a new tool to help them track wildfires.

Videos

Behind the Scenes of the Deadly Fairview Fire

New app tracks active wildfires across California

Wildfire Dispatch Tone Detection

Fire Extinguished by Locals

Mill Fire town hall meeting about Watch Duty

Siskiyou OES Watch Duty testimonial

Living with Wildfire

Community Testimonials

I use the Watch Duty app all the time to keep track of conditions wherever my son lands as a wildland firefighter. And then we had a fire in the eucalyptus forest just down the road from us. Watch Duty provided quick, comprehensive coverage during a very scary event. Thanks!

Beth R

“Having Watch Duty has reduced my stress level greatly. Just seeing how fast the firefighters jump on the wildfires and get them Forward Progress Stopped is very reassuring.”

Jana S.

“You guys are the best! You are my go-to first before CalFire or Yubanet. Thanks so much!”

Dennis G.
Yuba County

“As a cofounder of a firewise community, ... I get the most up-to-date and fastest information from Watch Duty and I find the updating to be very timely and accurate. I feel like I know almost immediately when there is a fire and that is a HUGE relief to me. ”

Stacey W.
Sonoma County