Watch Duty (Wildfire)

Stay ahead of wildfires with real time alerts and maps

Watch Duty is a powerful, community-driven tool designed to keep you informed when wildfires threaten your region. Instead of relying solely on delayed official bulletins, it taps into a network of active and retired firefighters, dispatchers, first responders, and volunteer reporters who constantly monitor radio scanners and local sources. The result is highly detailed, near real-time updates that can make a genuine difference in emergencies.

The centerpiece is its live map, which layers active fire perimeters, infrared satellite hotspots (VIIRS and MODIS), wind speed and direction, and historical burn areas onto clear street and satellite views. This lets you quickly grasp not just where a fire is, but how conditions might influence its spread. You can save multiple locations—home, work, family cabins—and receive push notifications about nearby incidents and changing conditions.

Watch Duty doesn’t stop at mapping. It also surfaces evacuation warnings, orders, shelter information, and even tracks air tankers and other aircraft engaged in firefighting. This level of situational awareness feels tailored to people who live with wildfire risk every season, from rural residents to those in suburban wildland–urban interfaces.

The interface is clean and generally easy to navigate, though the density of information can feel overwhelming at first, especially during major incidents with many overlapping alerts. Another limitation is coverage: it shines in regions where the volunteer network is strong, particularly in the western United States, but may feel less comprehensive elsewhere. A stable data connection is also essential for timely updates.

As a non-profit, Watch Duty offers its core alerting and maps for free, with an optional low-cost membership that unlocks extra perks while supporting the service. For anyone in fire-prone areas, it’s one of the most reassuring tools you can keep at hand when smoke appears on the horizon.