Fire-tracking app Watch Duty experienced a surge in popularity during this week’s Los Angeles wildfires, with over 2 million downloads since Tuesday and 14 million unique users recorded in the same period.
Watch Duty leverages a network of active and retired firefighters, first responders, volunteer reporters, and government data to provide real-time updates on wildfires. It emerged as a crucial tool for residents facing the wildfires, especially when official alerts proved buggy or inaccurate.
The app’s popularity skyrocketed, taking the top spot on Apple’s App Store charts, highlighting its reliability and the community’s trust.
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A Nonprofit Model with Privacy Focus
Operated by a nonprofit, Watch Duty is primarily funded through donations. The organization employs 15 full-time staff members and works with over 200 contributors.
CEO John Mills emphasized the app’s commitment to user privacy and its nonprofit ethos:
“I owe it to my community to not be a disaster capitalist,” he stated, adding that the app collects minimal personal data and has no plans to monetize through data sales.
Trusted Community Resource
The app’s success during the LA fires underscores the need for reliable, community-driven tools in disaster management, reaffirming Watch Duty’s role as a trusted resource for those in wildfire-prone areas.
