John Clarke Mills, the man behind the revolutionary fire-tracking app Watch Duty, was propelled into action during a Zoom meeting on a fateful morning in January 2025. As he passionately discussed the app with colleagues, a fire broke out at the Temescal Canyon trailhead in Pacific Palisades, California, triggering a chain of events that would bring Watch Duty to the forefront of the nation’s consciousness.
The Palisades Fire, as it came to be known, was just the beginning of a series of blazes that would engulf Los Angeles in chaos and devastation. With at least 29 lives lost, billions of dollars in property destroyed, and thousands of homes damaged or destroyed, the city was in a state of emergency.
Mills, a former software engineer and CEO of Watch Duty, witnessed the horror unfold from his home in Sonoma County, California. His personal experiences with wildfires and the challenges of evacuating during a crisis inspired him to create the app as a beacon of hope for those living in fire-prone areas.
His vision for Watch Duty as a platform that provides real-time updates on active fires, evacuation zones, and air quality ratings resonated with millions of users across 22 states, doubling the app’s user base in a matter of days. Celebrities like Jimmy Kimmel and Seth Meyers praised the app, and social media was abuzz with gratitude for its lifesaving capabilities.
But Watch Duty’s success was not without its challenges. As the fires raged on, Mills and his team of volunteers worked tirelessly to ensure the app could handle the influx of new users and provide accurate, up-to-date information. The app’s expansion to cover floods and hurricanes, along with plans for features to aid in recovery and rebuilding efforts, marked a new chapter in disaster preparedness.
While Watch Duty received accolades and recognition from the media and philanthropic organizations, Mills remained grounded in his mission to provide a reliable source of information during times of crisis. His relentless pursuit of truth and transparency in the face of government failures underscored the importance of community-driven initiatives like Watch Duty.
As the flames subsided and the smoke cleared, Mills and his team reflected on the impact they had made in the lives of those affected by the fires. With a renewed sense of purpose and a commitment to serving their community, Watch Duty continued to evolve and grow, setting a new standard for disaster response and communication.
The story of John Clarke Mills and Watch Duty is a testament to the power of innovation, resilience, and community in the face of adversity. As we look to the future, we can all learn from their example and strive to create a more connected, informed, and compassionate world in times of need.
