Viktor Makarskyy uses his disaster app as wildfires threaten homes in LA
Viktor Makarskyy has been working on a disaster app for nearly two years. It’s designed to help people in crisis situations, which seem to be happening more often these days.
He never thought his work would hit so close to home. Just the other night, he was flying back to LA from a trip with his wife when an evacuation order was issued for a fire dangerously close to their apartment.
He was worried sick about their cat and what they might lose if they couldn’t get home in time. “Seeing it from the plane was surreal,” he said. “It felt like a war zone.”
Viktor is the tech lead at GOES, a startup that started in 2021. They focus on giving health advice and services, especially in remote areas. Their app helps users with everything from bug bites to altitude sickness.
Recently, the app has become crucial for urban folks facing disasters like wildfires. Since the LA fires began, GOES has seen an 800% increase in usage. New users in California have tripled in just two weeks.
Sadly, the wildfires have claimed at least 24 lives and destroyed entire neighborhoods. The cause of the fires is still unknown.
Viktor uses GOES to check air quality and get alerts about wildfires. He was shocked to find that while other weather apps showed “moderate” air quality, GOES provided a much more accurate reading.
GOES isn’t the only app seeing a surge in use. The Watch Duty app, created by firefighters, has also become popular, helping residents track fire locations and evacuation zones.
GOES was born out of a need for better access to wilderness medicine. The company’s co-founder, Camilo Barcenas, believes everyone should have the tools to stay safe outdoors.
He’s seen firsthand how useful the app can be during disasters. “The LA wildfires show how important it is to democratize wilderness medicine for urban survival,” he said.
Before returning to LA, Viktor checked GOES for alerts about air quality and wildfires. He learned that N95 masks were the best protection against fine particulates.
Luckily, he and his wife didn’t have to evacuate. The fires were contained, and they woke up to find ash on their car, but their cat was safe.
GOES offers some free features, like checking air quality and weather advisories. For premium access, users pay a small fee. The app is evolving quickly, adapting to the needs of urban residents facing environmental crises.
