From apps to robots, technology is playing a key role in the fight against the Los Angeles wildfires. A computer simulation of a fire as it spreads, designed to give insight to crews on the scene, was created by the San Jose State University Wildfire Interdisciplinary Research Center (WIRC). “Within the center here we have lots of research looking at how to better model fire spread in urban environments, in tree canopies, in different conditions, in complex terrain and mountains,” WIRC Director Craig Clements said. One of the most-checked platforms these days is Watch Duty, a nonprofit whose free app sends live updates to users about active fires and the crews fighting them. “Getting that information out early is what makes the difference,” Watch Duty Operations VP Nick Russell said. california wildfires Jan 8 How technology is helping in the fight against the Southern California wildfires california wildfires 11 hours ago Los Angeles wildfires could be costliest blaze in U.S. history Watch Duty has been downloaded 1.5 million times over the last two days, providing crucial information about everything from weather conditions to evacuations. “Actionable information for one to act on their own emergency, and that’s been the huge value,” Russell said. “And, of course, having everything in one place and not having to go to three or four websites or social media platforms to put the story together.” Then there’s the Thermite firefighting robot – remote-controlled and on the ground in Los Angeles, able to go where humans should not. “Whether it’s a partial collapse or chemicals or things like that, they will send that unit in to help fight that fire,” Ron Lemons with Howe & Howe Technologies said. The Los Angeles Fire Department has one of the Thermite robots.