Watch Duty Overtakes ChatGPT as #1 Free App Amid California Wildfire Crisis
Watch Duty, the real-time wildfire tracking application, has surged to become the top free app on Apple’s App Store as devastating fires continue to spread across Southern California. The app surpassed OpenAI’s ChatGPT, which had maintained the #1 position in the U.S. since August 9 according to Appfigures data.
Why Watch Duty Is Gaining Traction
Founded in 2021, Watch Duty provides:
- Live wildfire maps with evacuation zones
- Real-time alerts for nearby fires
- Firefighting activity updates
- Crowdsourced reports from first responders
The app differentiates itself by aggregating data from:
- Active and retired firefighters
- Government agency reports
- Volunteer radio scanner monitors
- Ground-level observers
Image Credits: Watch Duty
Current Wildfire Emergency
The app’s popularity spike coincides with:
- Over 70,000 evacuation orders in Los Angeles County
- The destructive Palisades Fire near Santa Monica
- The rapidly spreading Eaton Fire near Pasadena
- 100+ mph winds fueling fire growth
According to Associated Press reports, these fires have already:
- Destroyed 1,000+ structures
- Claimed at least 2 lives
Expert Endorsements
Ryan Petersen, Flexport CEO, tweeted:
“Friends in LA: Download the Watch Duty app to track the fire in real time. It’s the official wildfire app used by California firefighters with granular updates, video feeds and evacuation maps.”
Important Considerations
While Watch Duty provides valuable real-time information:
- It should supplement (not replace) official emergency alerts
- Data comes from multiple unverified sources
- Users should cross-check critical information
The App’s Origins
Founder John Mills created Watch Duty after moving to a fire-prone Northern California region. As he told The Washington Post, the app fills crucial gaps in wildfire information dissemination.
Updated January 9, 2025 to include ChatGPT’s previous ranking duration
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