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"That extra couple of hours allowed me time to think what's the best plan. I think if we didn't have Watch Duty, we would be in a much different situation."

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Evacuating was hard for Scarlett, as some of her favorite childhood memories were at Bishop Castle, which her grandfather built himself. The castle is now a public attraction, and Scarlett lives and works there, helping to take care of the property.

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At 6:30 AM, Scarlett Bishop's phone woke her up with a Watch Duty alert that the Aspen Acres fire was 4 miles from her home at Bishop Castle. Scarlett and her husband rounded up their animals — 26 chickens, horses, goats, 4 cats, and 3 dogs — with 4 extra hours before evacuation orders hit.

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Watch Duty @watchduty.org · 25/09/2026

On the latest episode of Disasterproof, Kat Manalac spoke with the our team, and chatted with Chief Shepley Schroth-Cary about how firefighters and first responders use Watch Duty in the field. Watch it: youtube.com/watch?v=v402tJUOouw

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New to navigating the Watch Duty app? We’ve got you covered. Watch this how-to guide, share with family and friends, and download Watch Duty at watchduty.org

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Watch Duty @watchduty.org · 23/09/2026

What is meteorology? And how does it help inform Watch Duty's reporting on major floods and wildfires? You've seen insights from Pete, Watch Duty's staff meteorologist, breaking down the conditions behind specific fires, floods, & weather warnings. More on how meteorology shapes what we report👇

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Watch Duty @watchduty.org · 21/09/2026

Disasterproof spent time with Watch Duty reporters, John, and the firefighters who use Watch Duty in the field. Watch the episode ⬇️

youtube.com

The App That's Changing How Communities Survive Disaster

YouTube video by Disasterproof

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Watch Duty @watchduty.org · 21/09/2026

"Watch Duty's growth isn't a success story. It's a failure story." — John Mills, Watch Duty cofounder & CEO Watch Duty started with one idea: put real-time, verified disaster information in one place so people can act when seconds count. Today, 30 million people across the U.S. have used the app.

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Watch Duty @watchduty.org · 18/09/2026

Eric's childhood dream was to be a firefighter. He joined his local fire department's explorer program at just 14 years old and stayed in emergency response ever since. Now he works as Public Information Officer and serves as a contributor to Watch Duty.

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This post originally included FirstNet as a network with Watch Duty capability via satellite data. FirstNet satellite capability is still in limited testing, and Watch Duty functionality will be in place as FirstNet satellite data access becomes fully available.

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This is live now, no app update needed. Check your device and carrier to access satellite-based data.

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➡️ If you're on T-Mobile, supported devices can connect directly to satellite data. Loading may be a little slower, but you'll still get Watch Duty alerts and core app features, no cell tower required. ➡️ We're working to bring this to more carriers as satellite coverage expands.

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When wildfires and floods threaten a community, one of the first things they can impact is the ability to communicate. Now, Watch Duty can reach you by satellite when cell towers can't, so you can keep getting alerts no matter what's happening on the ground.

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Meet Watch Duty: a look at the people behind the signal: current and former dispatchers, firefighters, emergency professionals, reporters, and team members who monitor incidents around the clock so communities get information they can trust. 💛

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A fun fact about the Watch Duty app is that you can click on the names of the reporters on the updates and learn about all of us!

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Most mornings you’ll find me under the trees, getting centered before spending my days reporting on wildfires nationwide.

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When I'm not reporting, I'm a big fan of reading books, playing board games, and taking naps in the sun. I'm also easily distracted by birds and cool rocks.

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When I'm reporting on an active wildfire, everything else disappears. I see the first smoke on a wildfire camera or hear the first dispatch, and even from afar, it's like I’m right there at the fire with the crews.

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I live in the Sierra Nevada foothills of California and have been on the Watch Duty team for just over a year. I realized the app was run by people with a common goal — and I wanted to be a part of it.

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Watch Duty @watchduty.org · 14/09/2026

Hi I'm Miranda, one of the reporters behind your Watch Duty alerts. I'm a former Forest Service Wilderness Ranger and now a Watch Duty Regional Captain for California.

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There's a lot of buzz around El Niño and a lot of misinformation out there too. Watch Duty Staff Meteorologist Pete Curran on three of his most hated weather coverage words (explosive! bomb cyclone! Super El Niño!) and what to look out for the next three months to understand likely El Niño impacts.

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➡️ Wildfire season will see impact in the future — when all the new vegetation growth from the rain dries out, fire risk increases.

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➡️ Even if we don't see a lot of rain, sea level rises during a strong El Niño year, which can mean coastal flooding and erosion.

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➡️ We will potentially see a lot of rain on the west coast this winter — and that increases flash flood risk. Burned soil repels water, so fresh burn scars are a concern after a busy fire season.

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Watch Duty @watchduty.org · 10/09/2026

How will this year's El Niño affect wildfires and floods? We can't be certain, but there are some things we can watch out for:

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You heard it here folks: there's no such thing as a "Super" El Niño but it's shaping up to be a very strong one this year. Some models show up warming up to 3° C — which could be the warmest El Niño on record. More from Watch Duty Staff Meteorologist Pete Curran ⤵️

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Watch Duty @watchduty.org · 08/09/2026

After a career in the fire service, Don knew he wasn't done helping people. He's now on the team at Watch Duty - and many Watch Duty reporters are just like Don, active and retired emergency professionals still on the job and using their expertise to help others across the country. 🧡

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☑️ You can also click on an individual fire or flood incident marker and select "turn on notifications for this incident" to receive updates regardless of county.

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☑️ In the Watch Duty app, go to "Settings" → "Notifications" and select the counties you'd like to receive notifications for. If there's a wildfire or flood in that county, or updated info on those incidents, you'll be notified.

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Whether you're out on the trail or on the road, make sure you're prepared. Traci, a Watch Duty reporter, shares how to set your notifications so you get alerts on wildfires and flooding in your area — and anywhere you're traveling to.

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Whether we gave you extra time to evacuate when a wildfire broke out or helped you look out for a loved one that lives states away, we're here for you, always. If you have a story to share, let us know 👇

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Watch Duty @watchduty.org · 01/09/2026

What keeps us going is hearing your stories. 💛 Last month, we hit our five year mark and we heard from so many of you who have used Watch Duty through the years.

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Cole started photographing & reporting on wildfires shortly after the Valley Fire swept through his hometown of Middletown, California. He was photographing local fire department training & met John Mills, Watch Duty's founder, & later became a founding reporter on the team.

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Watch Duty @watchduty.org · 01/09/2026

When Cole isn't reporting on wildfires for Watch Duty, he's usually behind a camera — documenting first responders in action. 📸

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Watch Duty @watchduty.org · 28/08/2026

After working multiple fires & hurricanes, including Hurricane Helene, Deputy Fire Chief Larry & his team were looking for ways to get information out to the public more effectively. We heard teams like Larry's loud & clear. Watch Duty now provides wildfire & major flooding information nationwide.

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Watch Duty @watchduty.org · 27/08/2026

➡️ Tropical Storm Iselle will bring moisture into the area. That can worsen fire risk, because those storms come with the potential for lightning, which can start new fires if lightning strikes hit outside of where rain is falling.

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Watch Duty @watchduty.org · 27/08/2026

➡️ We're seeing very hot temperatures, low humidity, strong winds, and the potential for 'sundowner' winds are creating critical fire conditions through Friday. Any spark could start a fire — and potentially a very large one.

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Watch Duty @watchduty.org · 27/08/2026

Watch Duty Staff Meteorologist Pete shares what's driving the Red Flag Warning conditions in southern California and what to watch out for:

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Watch Duty - Wildfire Maps & Alerts

While you're preparing, we're preparing too: we've increased our 24/7 staffing so we can get you life-saving information the moment conditions change.

app.watchduty.org

Real-time information about wildfire and firefighting efforts nearby

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➡️ Take a few minutes to get ready: keep your phone charged, know where your family members are (especially anyone who may need extra help or time to move), and make a plan for pets or larger animals. Update your Watch Duty app and check your notification settings now.

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➡️ A Red Flag Warning is an alert that weather conditions are creating extreme wildfire risks. This week, extreme heat (100-110 degrees in the lower mountains & foothills), humidity as low as 7 percent, & wind gusts up to 40 mph are combining to create a real risk of fast-growing fires.

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