Southern California, particularly the Los Angeles area, has been devastated by massive wildfires over the past week. Over 40,000 acres have burned, and 12,000 structures have been destroyed. Dozens of major fires are burning in the area, with several major fires that have burned for days, causing thousands of people to evacuate.
As many residents worry about their homes and how to evacuate, one app has come to the forefront for those affected. Watch Duty, an app developed by a Bay Area non-profit, focuses on providing real-time information during a public safety event from reliable sources.
The app is run by active or retired first responders, such as firefighters or dispatchers, who then listen to updates and collaborate to distill the information for the public. As a result, the app helps alert people of emergencies in real time, providing updates along the way to keep people safe. They’ll alert you via the app if they notice a threat to life or property in your area. Users can see firefighting efforts, air quality, red flag warning areas, and more. As the fires in Southern California continue, the app helps keep people safe as the situation continuously develops.
The app was created by a Bay Area non-profit, the Sherwood Forestry Service, out of Santa Rosa. As of 2024, the app had over 7 million users, just three years after its launch. You can find the app in the app store and is free to download. Make sure to turn on location services for the app to get notifications that can help keep you safe.
Currently, the Southern California fires are still burning while firefighters and first responders work tirelessly to keep people safe. Many organizations are in need of monetary donations at the moment, and you can make a donation online to help first responders and people affected by the fires. Check out our list of organizations in need of donations with direct links here. You can also find updates for wildfires in California on Cal Fire’s website.
See also: What To Know About The Wildfires In Southern California And How To Help