Prince Harry began 2026 with a behind-the-scenes visit to Santa Barbara–area fire stations to observe wildfire response and technology in action. Touring with John Mills of Watch Duty, he saw equipment from brush trucks to thermal drones and learned how Watch Duty’s human-vetted mapping and alerts support firefighters during fast-moving blazes. The visit, near the couple’s Montecito home, underscores Archewell Philanthropies’ continued support for frontline responders and efforts to strengthen community resilience.
Prince Harry Opens 2026 With Behind-the-Scenes Visit to California Wildfire Responders
Stuart Palley/Watch DutyPrince Harry visits Santa Barbara fire stations with Watch Duty
Prince Harry kicked off 2026 with a hands-on visit to Santa Barbara–area fire stations to learn how crews and new technologies are responding to increasingly severe wildfire seasons in California.
The Duke of Sussex toured stations alongside John Mills, co-founder and CEO of Watch Duty, observing emergency equipment and tactics — from brush trucks and rescue ATVs to thermal search-and-rescue drones — and speaking directly with firefighters about the realities of front-line response.
Stuart Palley/Watch DutyPrince Harry and Watch Duty co-founder and CEO John Mills
First responders emphasized the value of Watch Duty’s real-time wildfire mapping and alert app, which delivers vetted, up-to-date information to crews and communities during fast-moving incidents. Unlike fully automated systems, Watch Duty uses trained volunteers, retired fire professionals and paid staff to verify incoming reports — a human-centered approach firefighters say can be critical in chaotic, rapidly changing situations.
“We’re proud to partner with Archewell Philanthropies, early supporters of Watch Duty during the devastating L.A. fires in 2025, and excited to keep building support for firefighters on the front lines,” Watch Duty posted alongside photos of the visit.
The stop, near the couple’s home in Montecito, follows a string of visits by Harry to firefighting crews across the region. Ahead of Christmas he met with crews in Camarillo and toured the Ventura Training Center run by the Anti-Recidivism Coalition, where formerly incarcerated men and women now train and serve with CAL FIRE and the California Conservation Corps.
Stuart Palley/Watch DutyPrince Harry and Watch Duty co-founder and CEO John Mills
During the height of the 2025 season, the Salinas Fire Department shared photos of Harry with local crews and therapy dogs Cruz and Taffy, which the department said provided emotional support to both first responders and community members during the L.A. fires.
The visit also comes after the Archewell Foundation rebranded as Archewell Philanthropies, a move the couple described as clarifying their focus on grantmaking, partnerships and support for frontline workers and community resilience. Through Archewell, the Duke and Duchess provided early funding to Watch Duty during the Los Angeles fires to help the nonprofit deliver verified information to firefighters and affected communities.
Stuart Palley/Watch DutyPrince Harry joins firefighters and emergency service personnel in Santa Barbara
People close to Harry and Meghan said the couple have spent time listening to firefighters about the mental, physical and logistical toll of longer, more intense fire seasons. Harry’s recent station visits reflect a hands-on effort to understand how technology, trusted information and local expertise can combine to protect communities during emergencies.
Why it matters: As wildfire seasons grow longer and more unpredictable, the combination of human-vetted information, frontline experience and community partnerships is becoming increasingly important for saving lives and protecting neighborhoods.
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