Link: LA residents find a lifeline in this free wildfire-tracking app

Watch Duty, a nonprofit app tracking wildfires, has topped Apple’s App Store charts as Californians face severe blazes. Launched in 2021, it now serves 22 states with real-time updates and evacuation information.

The app features detailed maps with flame icons and alerts for fire-stricken areas, becoming a vital resource for emergency management.

It employs about 200 volunteers, including experienced firefighters and first responders, to deliver accurate fire reporting.

Equipped with data from multiple authoritative sources, Watch Duty offers quicker updates than other fire-tracking services. The app's usage has surged, reaching 7.2 million active users by December 2024.

Amidst catastrophic fires in LA, Californians are widely recommending Watch Duty on social platforms to help those affected.

Vice President Nick Russell emphasizes the app’s focus on quality, verified information, avoiding the spread of misinformation prevalent in times of disaster.

Watch Duty commits to user privacy and sustains its operations through donations and premium subscriptions, without selling user data.

Russell asserts the permanent free access to the app’s core features, highlighting the goal of prioritizing aid over profit during crises.

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