Residents of Los Angeles are using a free software developed by a nonprofit organization to assist them manage the devastating fires that are destroying the city.
Launched in 2021 and currently available in 22 states, Watch Duty gives users real-time details on local wildfires and firefighting activities. According to its website, a team of volunteers and staff members, including dispatchers, veteran storm watchers, and active and former firemen, power the app.
Many Angelenos shared screenshots of the app on social media throughout Tuesday and Wednesday, urging others to download it and describing it as a lifeline in the face of fast shifting weather.
Far beyond the danger zones, the Los Angeles fires, which were started by a mix of dry weather and strong winds, are having a significant impact. At least two individuals have been killed as of Wednesday morning, and the area was still being consumed by rapidly spreading fires.Over 80,000 people have been forced to evacuate due to the fires.
Right now, Watch Duty is the most popular app on the Apple App Store, surpassing Threads, Lemon8, and ChatGPT. Nick Russell, vice president of operations for the app, told NBC News on Wednesday that over half a million people have downloaded it in the last 12 hours.
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A vital resource for disseminating accurate information during wildfires is Watch Duty. Conspiracy theories fostered by social media have been widespread amid natural disasters in recent years, with many people disseminating false information and ludicrous claims on the causes of these weather-related occurrences.
In order to validate and evaluate information, Russell said his staff uses a procedure “that’s made stronger by partnerships that we have with agencies throughout our 22 states of coverage area, not just California.”
For us, prioritizing quality over quantity is a major topic. He stated that we are not in a rush to obtain facts that we may later have to retract. Therefore, it’s okay if it takes a few more minutes to get it out there, but we want it to be official information, and since our platform is one-way, we don’t provide a place for people to spread false information. Therefore, it gives us the upper hand when it comes to accurate information.
Similar to sports reporting, we will provide a timeline of events from the moment of ignition until the final engine departs, and we will send out a county-level notice to our users in that region.
-Nick Russell, vice president of operations for watch duty
Over 200 personnel usually make up the Watch Duty crew, which works around the clock to keep an eye out for any possible fires.
According to Russell, they use the Slack messaging app, which provides the team with automatic leads from various sources. Our team then distributes and verifies those leads.
They will start to keep an eye on it if something seems worrisome to them.
Russell likened the methodology of Watch Duty to that of sports journalism.
According to him, we will notify our readers in that region at the county level and provide a timeline of events from the moment of ignition until the final engine departs, much like in sports reporting.
The app is not new, but as climate-related weather events continue to affect communities, its popularity has grown in recent years. The app said in December that it had grown from 1.9 million active users in 2023 to 7.2 million users annually.
First responders, such as the Los Angeles County sheriff, the Butte County sheriff, and the Office of Emergency Management, are among the numerous users, according to Watch Duty. The program is also used by firemen on the front lines, tanker pilots, and dozer operators.
The map-based software interface displays flame indicators in areas where flames are burning. In addition to seeing their exact location and the most recent changes, users may zoom in on certain locations. Additionally, the map provides a topographic, satellite, or street video.
Information on evacuation routes and any official evacuation orders are also available to users. Depending on which fire a person is looking at, official posts and images from government agencies are also shared.
According to Russell, the reason why people are drawn to Watch Duty is that it provides a one location for all the information they require in the event of a fire, eliminating the need to consult several websites and social media accounts.
Additionally, he stated that he thinks accessibility is a major factor in the app’s popularity.
The app depends on donations and subscriptions to the upgraded version to remain operational; it does not gather or sell user data.
According to Russell, “Watch Duty will remain free forever,” and “I think it’s really important in today’s world, where so many people are trying to profit from disaster, to really understand that that’s not what Watch Duty is.”
Russell added that $5.6 million in financing was given to Watch Duty this year from a range of sources, including grants and private donations.
According to its 2024 annual report, it is now our aim to support those who have chosen a life of service because they need our assistance.
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