Information in times of crisis can save lives.

As a reporter for 30-plus years, I understand this. I also understand it can be near impossible to obtain the information needed from the appropriate sources in a timely manner. Then you have to write the story, have it edited, and posted online. Anything in print will be outdated by the time it sees the light of day—at least in terms of immediate dangers and damage totals.

Details of the Park Fire on the Watch Duty app. (Image: Kathryn Reed)

I have had the Watch Duty app on my phone for a little while. (It’s been available since 2021.) But it wasn’t until this last week that I looked at it multiple times a day. The Park Fire that started a couple miles from my home in Chico still has my attention.

It’s better than any news outlet in terms of evacuation data, fire spread, air support, wind direction and other details like air quality. It also provides access to all the fire cameras in the area.

Oddly, I love seeing images of the types of aircraft and where they are working the fire. Something about it is reassuring.

The website says, “Watch Duty is run by active and retired firefighters, dispatchers, first responders, and reporters who monitor radio scanners in your area around the clock to bring you up-to-the-minute life-saving information.”

The app is free, though it’s possible to become a member of this nonprofit for $25/year. I’m now a member.

“Your membership dues will support our free service for all and remain free of advertising or sponsorship,” according to the site. I’m good with that.

It also says, “Watch Duty is the only wildfire mapping and alert app powered by real people giving you real-time information vetted by trained professionals, not robots. All other apps rely on only government alerts which can be hours late or flat out non-existent.”

In our current culture where we expect so much to be free, especially if it’s online, it’s easy to forget the work and resources it took to provide you whatever information you are digesting. Watch Duty has more than earned the $25 I paid and will keep paying each year. Membership comes with some added details, so there are perks.

I also like that Watch Duty posts the daily briefings from fire and law enforcement so I can watch/listen to them. I don’t have to wait for a news site to give it me.

Yes, I realize as a journalist it sounds like I’m dissing the media. I’m not. Really. The media is going to bring real people into the stories, the impacts on the community, visuals of the devastation remote cameras don’t capture. The media is going to be there covering the aftermath long after the Watch Duty notifications have stopped. The media will be there writing about the idiot accused of starting this fire.

Watch Duty, though, for those who want as current of information about a fire as possible, is the answer.