Prince Harry visited a Santa Barbara fire station to highlight Watch Duty

Prince Harry visited Santa Barbara-area fire stations in January to learn about wildfire response and to support Watch Duty, a nonprofit that provides verified, real-time wildfire mapping and alerts. The outing, shared by Watch Duty, follows earlier local engagements by the Duke and Duchess and came after Archewell donated to the organization during the 2025 California fires.

Prince Harry made a behind-the-scenes visit to Santa Barbara-area fire stations in January to focus on wildfire response and to support Watch Duty. The visit took place near his Montecito home and was shared by Watch Duty on social media. The outing is part of a pattern of local engagements by the Duke and Duchess related to first responders and wildfire response. What we know: - The Duke of Sussex visited Santa Barbara-area fire stations alongside Watch Duty co-founder and CEO John Mills. - Firefighters showed him brush trucks, rescue ATVs and thermal search-and-rescue drones during the visit. - Watch Duty provides real-time wildfire mapping and alert services that responders described as valuable in fast-moving incidents. - Archewell Philanthropies donated to Watch Duty during the early days of the 2025 California wildfire crisis, and Watch Duty posted images of the visit on social media. - The Santa Barbara stop follows other recent firefighter-focused visits, including time spent in Camarillo and a visit to the Ventura Training Center of the Anti-Recidivism Coalition. Summary: The visit highlights ongoing local engagement by Prince Harry and attention to how technology and verified information are used in wildfire response. Undetermined at this time.