Free, Charity-Driven App Holds Potential to Safeguard Lives During Future Bay Area Wildfires
In the face of increasing wildfire threats across the western United States, a non-profit app named Watch Duty has emerged as a crucial tool for residents seeking real-time, reliable wildfire updates and alerts.
Watch Duty, a 501(c)(3) organisation, relies on a network of active and retired wildland firefighters, dispatchers, first-responders, and other professionals who monitor radio traffic, satellite data, and camera feeds 24/7. This team verifies and vets wildfire information, offering users immediate, human-verified updates to keep them informed and safe.
The app, available for download on any phone app store by searching for "Watch Duty", offers a range of unique features designed to help users stay informed and prepared. These include push notifications about nearby wildfires and firefighting efforts, real-time updates on fire conditions, active fire perimeters, and progress, infrared satellite hotspot data, wind speed and direction information, evacuation orders and shelter details, historical wildfire perimeters, both street and satellite maps, air attack and air tanker flight tracking, and the ability to save specific locations for quick access on the map.
While the free tier of Watch Duty allows users to pick up to four counties, set custom pins, and receive hyper-local alerts, a paid membership offers additional features such as unlimited counties, saved locations, and a live firefighting-aircraft tracker.
During the unprecedented January 2025 LA wildfires, more than 1 million people downloaded the app in just 24 hours, and it gained notable recognition as a critical tool trusted even by government agencies and firefighters for accurate, real-time disaster tracking.
Sources: - Google Play Store - Watch Duty: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.watchduty.app&hl=en_US - Masters of Scale Podcast, July 2025: https://mastersofscale.com/episode/becoming-the-go-to-app-for-natural-disaster-tracking/ - Wyoming Public Media, July 2025: https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/wyoming-wildfire-watch - YouTube Interview, July 2025: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9wl2mXK2-E
Today, Watch Duty counts roughly 7 million active users across 22 western states. For Bay Area residents, the app is particularly important due to the continued threat of Diablo winds, which fuelled the 2017 North Bay Firestorm, and PG&E's planned shut-offs that may not always align with the location of the next wildfire spark.
When a threat to life or property is confirmed, Watch Duty's volunteers push an alert straight to your phone, often well before an official notice arrives. Unlike many other alerting apps, Watch Duty is ad-free, ensuring a clean, uninterrupted user experience.
In addition to its wildfire tracking capabilities, Watch Duty also offers a free newsletter, 925 News, which keeps readers informed about local events, restaurant openings, breaking news, small business spotlights, and crime reports. Covering Walnut Creek, Lamorinda, Danville, Concord, and the Trivalley, 925 News is built with Kit and can be shared on Facebook, Pinterest, and Nextdoor.
In times of wildfire threats, having a reliable, human-verified source of information can make all the difference. With Watch Duty, users can rest a little easier knowing they have a powerful, community-driven tool at their fingertips.
The Watch Duty app, relying on a network of professionals, offers technology-driven wildfire updates and alerts, making it a crucial tool for residents seeking reliable information during wildfire threats. This app, available on any phone app store, also provides a general-news newsletter, 925 News, keeping users informed about local events and news.
