Watch Duty

A huge year by any measure: ➡️ 16 million+ people reached with Watch Duty alerts (1/n)

@washingtonpost Read the article for more insight - washingtonpost.com/weather/2026/0…

Our WD staff meteorologist Pete recently talked to @washingtonpost about the early signals for fire disasters this year. Here's what to know: ➡️ What’s happening: Fire season is starting earlier. Many parts of the west had a lack of winter rain and snow, meaning dry conditions, combining with strong winds and record March heat. The combo is accelerating how quickly fires can ignite and spread ➡️ What’s weird: Areas that are typically too wet to burn this time of year are already dry enough to catch fire. Last week's Morrill Fire in Nebraska burned 643,000 acres in a week—unusually large and fast for this early in the season ➡️ Why it matters: Fires may move faster, start sooner, and occur in multiple places at once. Early awareness and preparation are more important than ever

We’re surprised and sorry to hear that you’ve had any concerns with Watch Duty information. We have a rigorous code of conduct in place to make sure information is validated and clear, and our reporters are channeling decades of experience and working around the clock to make sure that information is accessible to first responders and communities alike. As our head of public safety strategy often says, during his 30+ years in the fire service, he relied on incident radio traffic many times. Under ICS doctrine, the Incident Commander owns the information. Full stop. The information doesn't get more credible than from the person who is legally and operationally responsible for the incident. We’re not looking to replace local systems at all- we’re a tool for you to further get the word out, and to fill in gaps, and, as a matter of fact, we even have a process were local PIO’s can get their message directly to Watch Duty Reporters. We’d love to have the opportunity to talk live about any concerns you have, we take your feedback seriously.

Let's chat about Watch Duty 🔥 The app often pulls details from radio traffic, which is not always confirmed and can easily lead to confusion or misunderstandings about what is actually happening. We understand many people use WatchDuty for general awareness, and it can be helpful for that purpose. But it is a third‑party app, and the information you see there may not be verified, may be incomplete, and can change quickly as responders sort out what’s accurate on scene. If there is a real threat or you need to take action, we will notify you directly through our official emergency alert systems. These alerts come straight from your local 911 center and responders who are physically on the ground, and they are the only reliable source for confirmed instructions. Sign up for emergency alerts at peakalerts.org You can also follow us on all of our official social media platforms for real‑time updates and accurate information as incidents unfold.

➡️ Major fires are impacting communities in #Nebraska. The Morrill Fire traveled 65+ miles in roughly 6 hours and continues to grow, and additional fires have triggered evacuation orders.
 ➡️ Impacts are being called the worst in state history. ➡️ Watch Duty has ramped up our existing 24/7 coverage with all hands on deck to give you ongoing updates on developments, following national and local notices, first responder radio traffic, and more. Always follow the latest at app.watchduty.org or download the app.

Read more, via @FSJAmericas : …ital.fireandsafetyjournalamericas.com/html5/reader/p…

"Whether you are in command or supporting your elderly neighbor, having access to information empowers you to make better decisions." Kevin Fetterman, our Senior VP of Public Safety Strategy, on why Watch Duty serves everyone: from Duty Chiefs to families preparing to evacuate. The same real-time intelligence. The same maps. The same mission—keeping communities safe. Read more on how his experience as a fire department division chief informs his work at Watch Duty (link in replies ⬇️)

How do you build technology for a service like Watch Duty, when it absolutely can't go down, no matter how many people need it at once? Our co-founder and Chief Technology Officer Dave Merritt dove in with @julian_duque on the new code[ish] podcast about the thinking (and hard work!) that goes into keeping the Watch Duty app delivering in key moments. Listen here- heroku.com/podcasts?utm_c… A big thanks to the code[ish] podcast team at @heroku for a great conversation, and for the ongoing support that helps us communicate rapidly with every Watch Duty user 🙏

“If you see a problem, it doesn't need to be solved in a for-profit way.” That’s the approach of @watchdutyapp, a non-profit app that provides lifesaving real-time updates during wildfires. Learn more about the app and the technology behind it on this episode of Code[ish].

Retired first responder or passionate about making a difference in an emergency? Join Don and our team of volunteer reporters. watchduty.org/volunteer

"Every retired firefighter will tell you—it's not just something you walk away from and leave behind." Don spent a career protecting communities - it's still what he does every day, in a new way as a Watch Duty reporter. Every time you get an emergency alert from Watch Duty, it's coming from a real person plugged into emergency dispatch, reviewing wildfire cameras, and scraping official systems to validate every twist and turn. It's the human factor that turns chaos into clarity.

“In times of emergency, we don’t always have access to everyone we need.” First responders need to put all their focus on the emergency at hand - That’s one reason why local leaders rely on Watch Duty for verified updates they can trust — so they can answer questions, support residents, and lead with confidence. Information saves time. Information saves lives.

We’re excited to announce an upcoming integration with @watchdutyapp Agencies managing incidents in Tablet Command will soon be able to share confirmed incident information with the public through Watch Duty reporters, helping keep their communities informed.

Most people don’t realize firefighters coordinate emergencies using specialized technology behind the scenes. @tabletcommand is the premiere tool for firefighters to manage and respond to incidents in real time. Now, we're working together. Here's why that matters for you: Now, through the new integration with Watch Duty, agencies can choose to share confirmed details about fires faster from within the workflows they already use. That means less tech clutter for your emergency responders AND helps us get you trusted information sooner when every second counts. The result is a stronger connection between field operations and public communication -- you can get clear, reliable updates when you need to make decisions to keep yourself and your loved ones safe.

2025 was a big year, and 2026 is going to be even bigger. We’re about to double our impact — but only if we build the systems to sustain it. In 2025, we maintained 100% uptime and served 16.8 million people directly with 1.1 billion+ page views. In 2026, here's what we're prioritizing for our community: 1️⃣ Expand to more hazards: Alert systems aren't just failing for wildfires - we are seeing systems failures hurting every part of the country. We're expanding our scope to show up where clear, real-time information is needed. 2️⃣ Double the Watch Duty community: In December, we launched in all 50 states. We're working to make sure that every family has Watch Duty BEFORE disaster strikes. 3️⃣ Strengthen our support systems: When millions depend on us, going down isn’t an option. We're investing to strengthen the backbone that keeps Watch Duty online when others fail. And at the end of the day, behind the Watch Duty you know and love is real humans - reporters, engineers, public safety experts... We're committed to serving their needs, from streamlined tech and processes for clear collaboration to the mental health support needed to work in the emergency/disaster space. We're grateful to all of you in the Watch Duty universe for continuing to drive this work, in ways big and small. Read our annual report at watchduty.org/annual-report

➡️ Many people in Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, and Colorado are impacted by fast-growing vegetation fires. ➡️ The NWS has issued a 'particularly dangerous situation' warning for an extreme, life-threatening event. ➡️ Watch Duty has ramped up our existing 24/7 coverage with all hands on deck to give you ongoing updates on developments. Always follow the latest at app.watchduty.org or download the app.

Active fires on the @watchdutyapp

Ever wonder what happens before a Watch Duty alert reaches you? Every notification is the result of trained team members gathering intelligence, verifying facts, and keeping you updated in real time. From the first dispatch signal, to critical tracking sources like 'Fire Notification' radio feeds and wildfire cameras, to the ping on your phone, it’s a human-powered process designed for one purpose: delivering clear, reliable safety information when seconds matter.

When Keegan cofounded the LA County Fire Department's Community Brigade, he knew that catastrophic wildfires would need all hands on deck. What he didn't know was that training volunteers to bridge the gap during wildfires would become a way to heal. Many of the latest trainees lost their own homes in the Palisades Fire, and the Community Brigade has helped them process their loss and feel empowered to take action. The Community Brigade and Watch Duty were founded on the same belief: when people have accurate information, they can protect themselves, their families, and their communities when it matters most. 📹 Keegan & the Community Brigade + Sean Garrison + Connor Nelson

"We lost our property in the 2019 Kincaid Fire. It had been a family home for 40 years at that point - it was our anchor. I was working to defend another property and the Chief gave us the order to get to my place. It was too late by the time we got there. Watch Duty is a great tool of information. I wish we had something like it. If we did have something like it back then, we might have been able to get the word out a lot faster." -John Lilienthal, Firefighter, Northern Sonoma County Fire District

When Sean was covering the Palisades fire as a photojournalist, he heard something he couldn't believe. Both pet owners and animal rescue organizations were barred from entering, and pets were stranded across the fire zone. He put down his camera and found a new mission in fire response- caring for pets left behind and finding a way to reunite them with their families. He used Watch Duty constantly to be able to move safely through fire areas (Find more from Sean at @thescarygary with love to additional orgs that supported him: @wufaw_official, @del.gato.rescue, & @urbanpanthersrescue)