Watch Duty, an app that tracks wildfires with live maps and alerts, was the No. 1 free app on Apple's App Store as of Wednesday morning. As devastating fires continue to rage across Southern California, the fire tracking app has surpassed the ChatGPT app to take the number one spot. ChatGPT had held the No. 1 spot in the US since August 9, according to app intelligence provider Appfigures.
Watch Duty has been available since 2021 and is used by firefighters and first responders across the western United States.
Fire tracking apps are spreading rapidly amid wildfires. Image credit: Maxwell Zeff
The Watch Duty app obtains information about ongoing wildfires from a network of active and retired firefighters, first responders, official government reports, and volunteer reporters who monitor radio scanners 24 hours a day. While other fire tracking apps rely solely on government alerts, Watch Duty claims to have more real-time information. However, it is important to note that the app is not a substitute for official information.
Download the app to see wildfires in your area and receive alerts about nearby fires, evacuation alerts, and firefighting efforts.
You can also check out other regions using the app. This is especially useful if you have loved ones in Southern California.
Image credit: Obligation to monitor
Fire tracking apps rose to the top Wednesday morning as more than 70,000 people face evacuation orders in and around Los Angeles County due to the Palisades Fire near Santa Monica and the Eaton Fire near Pasadena. As of this writing, the Associated Press reports that the fire has destroyed more than 1,000 buildings and killed at least two people. The fire continues to burn, driven by severe windstorms affecting the area, with winds up to 160 mph.
“Friends of Los Angeles: Download the Watch Duty app to track fires in real time,” Flexport CEO Ryan Petersen said in a tweet Tuesday. “This is the official wildfire app used by California firefighters, with highly detailed real-time updates, video feeds, and evacuation maps.”
LA Friends: Download the Watch Duty app to track fire conditions in real time. This is the official wildfire app used by California firefighters, with highly detailed real-time updates, video feeds, and evacuation maps.
Please stay safe. How quickly does the fire spread and ultimately…
— Ryan Petersen (@typesfast) January 8, 2025
John Mills, the app's founder and CEO, told The Washington Post earlier this year that he started Watch Duty after moving to a fire-prone region of Northern California.
Update: This article was originally published on January 8th and updated on January 9th to include ChatGPT's time in the top spot.