Fire Watch - Ring Camera Wildfire Alerts | Ring
Join the team.
Working together to help communities stay informed and respond quickly during active wildfires.
Neighbors helping neighbors.
Whether it’s spotting wildfires and sharing real-time updates with Fire Watch or reuniting lost dogs and their families with Search Party, our community features empower everyone to become a hero in their neighborhood using Ring’s technology to act for the greater good.
How Fire Watch Works
Real-time alerts. Real-world impact.
Fire Watch works through Ring’s partnership with Watch Duty, a not-for-profit organization that monitors and reports wildfires. When Watch Duty reports a fire, nearby Ring users receive an alert. Then, outdoor Ring cameras start looking for visual signs of fires and smoke. Neighbors in the area can share snapshots with Watch Duty and first responders, giving critical insights during emergencies.
Act fast.
Your Ring cameras will tell you if they spot possible fire or smoke, giving you early warning signs during emergencies.
Stay connected.
Get instant updates about fires in your area and choose if you want to share snapshots from your outdoor cameras to keep your neighborhood informed.
Get critical alerts.
When a wildfire is reported in your area, you’ll be alerted immediately and can choose to share updates with your community.
Protecting your neighborhood starts with an outdoor camera.
By choosing Ring, you’re not just buying a device. You’re joining a community that looks out for one another.
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Your footage is always in your control.
You choose to share your footage when you want and can jump in to help your neighbors when you're ready. Easily manage your devices in the Ring app’s Control Center.
Help others find inspiration.
Share your success story with Ring and help show others that there’s always hope.
Discover more community features.
Neighbors App
Stay informed. Share real-time updates. Protect your neighborhood.
Search Party for Dogs
Be the hero, bring pets home.
Fire Watch
Protect what you love during life’s most critical moments.
Frequently Asked Questions - Fire Watch
What is Fire Watch?
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Ring has partnered with Watch Duty, a non-profit, to bring Fire Watch to neighbors nationwide. Fire Watch is a new feature in the Ring app that empowers neighbors to use their outdoor Ring cameras to look out for fires and provide the community and first responders with real-time information during active fire events.
How does Fire Watch work?
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When Watch Duty identifies a new fire, they send its location to Ring to establish a Search Area within those boundaries. If your Ring device is within this Search Area, Fire Watch is temporarily activated and your cameras will begin looking for signs of fire and smoke. If spotted, your camera will let you know. Neighbors in the Search Area can temporarily enable snapshot sharing with first responders and the public via Watch Duty. Additionally, you and your neighbors can choose to share photos, videos, and updates with the community through the Neighbors app, providing valuable information to help everyone stay safe.
Is Fire Watch always watching for fires?
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No. Fire Watch is not an early alert system and only activates when Watch Duty reports a known fire near your outdoor camera's location. During an active fire event, your camera can help detect signs of fire and smoke—but only for the duration of the emergency and only within the affected area.
What exactly will be shared during a Fire Watch event?
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During an active event, you can choose to share snapshots with Watch Duty. Periodic static images (not videos) from selected cameras may be published publicly on Watch Duty, along with location and fire detected signals. You’re in control—sharing is completely optional and you can stop sharing at any time through the Ring app. If you choose not to share with Watch Duty, you can still use Fire Watch to look for signs of fire and smoke and get alerted if detected.
How does Fire Watch benefit my community?
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During a fast-moving fire, accurate, real-time information is essential. Fire Watch transforms how communities can work together during a disaster. You can:
- Help your neighbors stay informed about the fire's movement.
- Give first responders unprecedented situational awareness with your footage.
- Contribute to a more resilient community that can respond to and recover from disasters more effectively.
Do I have control over what I share and my privacy?
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Yes. Your privacy and control are top priorities. Here’s how we protect your information:
- Adjust Your Settings: You have the choice to turn off Search Party or Fire Watch, at any time in your Control Center settings.
- You Choose to Share: Your ring cameras will continue to operate as normal. It’s up to you to decide whether or not to share that footage with neighbors or Watch Duty.
- Limited Activation: The feature is only active for a limited time (during a known fire) and within a specific geographic area (the Search Area).
Do I need to do anything to enable Fire Watch?
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No. Fire Watch will automatically be available for Ring users with eligible outdoor Ring cameras in the United States. Indoor cameras are not included in Fire Watch. You can manage your settings to customize which cameras participate or turn off the feature at any time.
Will I get an alert if Fire Watch is activated?
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Yes, if your device falls within a Search Area, you will be notified through the Ring app via push notification. You will also receive updates throughout the event to stay informed.