Watch Duty

Watch Duty Helping you stay safe from wildfires and floods when seconds count.

09/03/2026

Whether you're out on the trail or on the road, make sure you're prepared. Traci, a Watch Duty reporter, shares how to set your notifications so you get alerts on wildfires and flooding in your area — and anywhere you're traveling to.

☑️ In the Watch Duty app, go to "Settings" → "Notifications" and select the counties you'd like to receive notifications for. If there's a wildfire or flood in that county, or updated info on those incidents, you'll be notified.

☑️ You can also click on an individual fire or flood incident marker and select "turn on notifications for this incident" to receive updates regardless of county.

What keeps us going is hearing your stories. Last month, we hit our five year mark and we heard from so many of you who ...
09/02/2026

What keeps us going is hearing your stories.

Last month, we hit our five year mark and we heard from so many of you who have used Watch Duty through the years. Whether we gave you extra time to evacuate when a wildfire broke out or helped you look out for a loved one that lives states away, we're here for you, always.

If you have a story to share, let us know 👇

09/01/2026

When Cole isn't reporting on wildfires for Watch Duty, he's usually behind a camera — documenting first responders in action. 📸

Cole started photographing and reporting on wildfires shortly after the Valley Fire swept through his hometown of Middletown, California. He was photographing local fire department training and met John Mills, Watch Duty's founder, and later became a founding reporter on the team.

08/28/2026

"Firefighters don't stand on the sidelines, ever."

After working multiple fires and hurricanes, including Hurricane Helene, Deputy Fire Chief Larry and his team in Swannanoa, North Carolina were looking for ways to get information out to the public more effectively.

We heard teams like Larry's loud and clear. Watch Duty now provides wildfire and major flooding information nationwide, which means we can support Larry, and tens of thousands of fire chiefs like him, across the country.

08/26/2026

Watch Duty Staff Meteorologist Pete shares what's driving the Red Flag Warning conditions in southern California and what to watch out for:
➡️ We're seeing very hot temperatures, low humidity, strong winds, and the potential for 'sundowner' winds are creating critical fire conditions through Friday. Any spark could start a fire — and potentially a very large one.
➡️ Tropical Storm Iselle will bring moisture into the area. That can worsen fire risk, because those storms come with the potential for lightning, which can start new fires if lightning strikes hit outside of where rain is falling.

Stay safe, and make sure your Watch Duty notifications are on: app.watchduty.org/alert/73878

➡️ The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for the mountains and foothills of Los Angeles County and ...
08/26/2026

➡️ The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for the mountains and foothills of Los Angeles County and a number of surrounding counties, including Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo. The Warning is in effect through 3 p.m. PDT Friday, August 28.

➡️ A Red Flag Warning is an alert that weather conditions are creating extreme wildfire risks. This week, extreme heat (100-110 degrees in the lower mountains and foothills), humidity as low as 7 percent, and wind gusts up to 40 mph are combining to create a real risk of fast-growing, unpredictable fires. These are the same conditions that produced some of the region's largest fires, including the Bridge, Bobcat, and Station Fires.

➡️ Take a few minutes to get ready: keep your phone charged, know where your family members are (especially anyone who may need extra help or time to move), and make a plan for pets or larger animals. Update your Watch Duty app and check your notification settings now.

While you're preparing, we're preparing too: we've increased our 24/7 staffing so we can get you life-saving information the moment conditions change: app.watchduty.org/alert/73739

08/25/2026

It started as a small plume of smoke behind the mountain peaks in Stagecoach, Colorado. Fifteen minutes later, there were 50 foot flames, blown up the mountain by wind.

That's how fast the fire moved on Chappy, a Watch Duty user watching from the neighborhood where his friends had lived for years. When the Watch Duty alert hit their phones, it gave them just enough time to grab their pets and get out.

08/24/2026

"When the fires were so bad here, Watch Duty was my best friend.”

Through an extremely active fire season, 250,000 people across Idaho have used Watch Duty to help stay information on wildfires in their area. More via Idaho News 6: youtube.com/watch?v=88TLBJTQbF8

Hello 👋 from Shannon, a Watch Duty coverage reporter from California:1️⃣ My favorite landscape is a soft sandy beach — a...
08/21/2026

Hello 👋 from Shannon, a Watch Duty coverage reporter from California:

1️⃣ My favorite landscape is a soft sandy beach — all my stress washes out with the tide.

2️⃣ I report for Watch Duty because I really care about the community and helping others. The team at Watch Duty has the compassion and focus to serve and protect others during a very vulnerable time. It is an honor to be part of such a remarkable team of people.

3️⃣ The emoji I send my colleagues most often: 🫶

4️⃣ The no. 1 thing guaranteed to help me relax is sitting in my garden. I never mark the plants, so I am surprised once they grow. It is like opening a present every day.

5️⃣ What I want users to know about the behind-the-scenes at Watch Duty: the people are what make this app work. All of us play an important role in what you see on your device and when you hear that warning sound. It's all in hopes of keeping those we care about safe. When you have the app, you are now part of our family, and we want you protected.
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"Meet Watch Duty" is a look at the people behind the signal: current and former dispatchers, firefighters, emergency professionals, reporters, and team members who monitor incidents around the clock so communities get information they can trust.

08/19/2026

"I went into work and it was a beautiful clear day, no smoke in the sky."

The Fish Hook Fire in Colorado moved quickly and upended what Winston and Wesley thought was just a normal day. Watch Duty helped them stay safe and alert, and share that support further with their community.

An extra few minutes and a little more information makes a world of difference.

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