Watch Duty App Tops Apple Charts, Outruns ChatGPT in Wildfire Alerts

Since its 2021 launch, the nonprofit Watch Duty app has blazed to over 7 million active users, becoming LA’s go-to for real-time wildfire updates. On January 10, 2025, it surged past ChatGPT as Apple’s No. 1 free app, racking up a million downloads in 24 hours during recent wildfires. Founder John Mills’ volunteer-driven platform outperforms city alerts, saving lives like Paulette Lifton did on her fiery birthday. With plans to expand nationwide, Watch Duty is the hot tool keeping communities safe.