Watch Duty app is an excellent resource for fire-prone areas, including evac updates.

[LauraInLA]

[Dem2theMax]

1. Here's a great article from The Guardian on the Watch Duty app.

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/jan/05/watch-duty-wildfire-app

Included in the article is news that they are planning on covering other emergencies in the future, not just fire. So this app is going to be useful for anyone, anywhere.

I'm sending this article to everyone I know. I downloaded the app when it first came out, even though it didn't cover my area. I knew they would eventually get to Southern California.

Fires are the only reason I joined Twitter. That was the way you got all your fire information. It was so easy to leave Twitter, because Watch Duty sends the info to you.

[LauraInLA]

2. Thank you for the article! That's fantastic. I know I've been spraying DU with posts about the app today ;).

Stay safe out there

[Dem2theMax]

3. I appreciate how they give you everything you need.

I don't think people realize it's not just warning you that there's a fire nearby. Gives you evacuation zones, how to look up your zone, (and everyone should already know their zone.) Gives you evacuation center addresses, (for people, as well as for large animals,) keeps you updated on the progression of a fire. The benefits of this app are incredible.

And if you donate, which is $5 or more, you get additional layers of info, and you can follow more than just your local area.

I live in a high fire prone area. Only one road to get in or out. It used to be when I heard a plane going over low and slow, (Cal Fire,) I ran outside and did a 360, to see if I could see smoke or flames. Now the Watch Duty app tells me what's happening before I even hear planes.