California fires force “Watch Duty” app to become the most popular download, surpassing ChatGPT to reach the top spot

As the fires in Southern California continue to escalate, the fire tracking app Watch Duty quickly shot up in the Apple App Store on Wednesday morning, becoming the most popular free app. The change is closely tied to the Palisades Fire near Santa Monica and the Eaton Fire near Pasadena, which have burned more than 70,000 people under evacuation orders. More than 1,000 buildings were damaged and at least two people were killed.

Since its launch in 2021, Watch Duty has been an essential tool for firefighters and first responders across the Western United States. Unlike other fire tracking apps that rely solely on government alerts, Watch Duty gets real-time information on active fires through a network of active and retired firefighters, first responders and volunteer reporters. This allows the app to provide more detailed real-time updates on fire conditions, evacuation warnings and progress of firefighting efforts. Still, Watch Duty is no substitute for official information, but its accuracy and real-time nature make many people willing to download and use it.

As fires continue to spread and winds reach speeds of up to 100 mph, Watch Duty becomes increasingly useful. Flexport CEO Ryan Peterson called on Los Angeles residents on Twitter to download the app to track fires in real time and get the latest evacuation maps and video information. This approach based on real-time monitoring and private reporting has undoubtedly improved the public's ability to obtain fire information.

Watch Duty founder John Mills told the Washington Post that he realized the need for a more accurate information platform after moving to a fire-prone area in Northern California. , so this app was created. Today, with fires occurring more frequently, Watch Duty's popularity and use among the public is steadily increasing.

In such critical moments, the power of technology helps people better respond to natural disasters. The success of Watch Duty also reminds us of the importance of timely access to information.