Watch Duty: Wildfire Maps 4+

I heard about this app just recently during the Airport Fire and Line Fire. I have many friends with homes in both those areas. It was nice to be able to move from one fire to another so easily to get updates, see live video feed and have the transit/satalite/topography options as well as the satellite hot spots that really gives you a good idea of what is still active and what is not. I’m thankful for this app and I have shared it with my friends who were even more thankful to know their second homes in the Line Fire area were being protected as well as friends near Trabuco Canyon on both sides who were able to get an early idea of what directions the winds were blowing by the live video feed and whether there was a chance they would be in the evacuation zone long before they announced it. Everyone I know who were in the area are all safe as well as their homes. Thank you to all the hard working never stopping fire fighters and retardant/water droppers as well as everyone making the calls to protect homes in Orange County and San Bernardino County. My heart goes out to those who lost their homes more toward Riverside County and on the 74. I will never get rid of this app. So informative. I do wish the fire lines were updated a little more often if possible.

Loving the app gives me some peace of mind on getting fire information. I have found some of the fire agencies are slow on giving out information. Especially important information that the community should have to make a decision faster or prepare if there is a fire near so they can make the decision to prepare for evacuation even though it might be a long shot. To much information is never a bad thing to have. I am also one of those people that carries a scanner on me in my vehicle and in my home. Living with a disabled family member we need more time then the normal family to evacuate. Living in the middle of nowhere it takes time for the notification system to catch up if it is a big fire. This gives me the power to see what is happening without having to monitor 10 different websites and paying attention to the scanner.

The only feature i would like to see is the option to change the notification tone at night i find the tone to quiet and i would like to change it to a more louder tone especially to wake me up form a dead sleep.

We lost our home in the Tubbs fire. Since then I’ve stayed up all night, evacuated from other fires, and stressed every summer and fall. I have also spent a lot of time whenever there is a fire trying to find as much information as possible to feel safe. I’ve also found that by raising my awareness of how many fires are handled quickly and without loss of property since the tubbs fire that my anxiety has gone down.

This app puts all of the info that I was hunting down (and more) in one place, quickly and easily accessible. It notifies me so that I can know what is happening at my home, and my family members’ homes when I am away or at work. I’m amazed that this is being provided at no cost to us by a non-profit. This app is wonderful for peace of mind and information and a must have for anyone living in a WUI in any of the counties served. Thank you Watch duty for this app and this service, it is so appreciated, and so well executed.