In this episode of All Things Wildfire, host OP Almaraz welcomes John Mills, the founder of Watch Duty, a groundbreaking app for wildfire alerts. John shares his personal journey, starting with his life off the grid in Sonoma County and how his first-hand experiences with wildfires inspired him to create a tool that could save lives. Watch Duty is designed to provide real-time, detailed wildfire information that goes far beyond traditional alerts, offering users clear, actionable insights to protect their lives and property.

John discusses the app's growth, its unique features, its impact on first responders and residents, and exciting developments on the horizon. He also opens up about his commitment to the nonprofit model, the passion driving his work, and the collaborative efforts with government agencies and private entities.

Episode Highlights:

1. Origins of Watch Duty:
   • John Mills recounts how living off-grid in Sonoma County exposed him to the dangers of wildfires. His frustration with the lack of accessible, reliable information sparked the idea for Watch Duty.
2. What Makes Watch Duty Unique:
   • Provides a narrative from ignition to extinguishment, giving users detailed context, including maps, evacuation routes, and wind conditions.
   • Designed for ease of use during high-stress situations, offering clarity and actionable data.
3. From Wildfire Alerts to Broader Disaster Coverage:
   • Watch Duty is expanding to include data on floods, air quality, and tsunamis, aiming to become a comprehensive platform for natural disaster alerts.
4. Collaboration with First Responders:
   • Many firefighters and emergency managers use Watch Duty for its real-time data. The app is now being integrated into county-level fire maps in areas like Orange County, Ventura County, and LA County.
5. Impressive Growth:
   • 7.2 million yearly active users in 2024, a 4x increase from the previous year.
   • Raised $2 million through Google.org funding and $2 million through memberships and donations.
6. Radical Transparency and Nonprofit Model:
   • Watch Duty is a nonprofit with a focus on transparency, publishing annual reports to show donors how funds are used. Only 2.5% of users pay for memberships, yet donations support millions of users.
7. John’s Personal Dedication:
   • John has self-funded much of the app's development, investing $1 million of his own money and working without a salary for years to ensure its success.
8. Looking Ahead:
   • New features like enhanced wind and fire forecasting tools, expanded geographic coverage, and professional tools for utilities and emergency teams are in the pipeline.

Show Notes:

• Introduction (00:01–01:19): OP introduces John Mills and Watch Duty’s mission.
• John’s Origin Story (01:19–06:01): John shares his first wildfire experiences and how they led to the app's creation.
• Features and Growth (12:41–15:06): Discussion on Watch Duty’s unique offerings and its user growth.
• Collaboration with First Responders (29:03–31:25): How Watch Duty supports emergency professionals.
• Future Developments (18:39–22:14): Plans for expanding Watch Duty’s scope to cover other natural disasters.
• Closing Notes (43:33–46:21): John encourages listeners to prepare for disasters and support Watch Duty’s mission.

Resources:

1. Download Watch Duty: Available on app stores for wildfire alerts.
2. Support Watch Duty: Make a donation or become a member to help sustain and grow the platform.
3. Spread the Word: Share Watch Duty with friends and family to ensure more people benefit from its life-saving information.

Quote of the Episode: "Watch Duty optimizes for time in life, not time in the app." – John Mills