Wildfire Alert Mishap in Los Angeles: A Tech Glitch Amidst Crisis
As wildfires blaze through Los Angeles for the third day, particularly targeting areas like the Hollywood Hills, many neighborhoods are facing evacuation orders to ensure safety. On Thursday afternoon, a significant error added to the chaos when a wildfire evacuation alert was inadvertently sent to every smartphone across Los Angeles County, home to over 9 million residents. This notification was only meant for those in Calabasas and Agoura Hills.
- LA County’s official account addressed the mistake on X, mentioning the alert was issued countywide due to a technical error.
- Several residents, far from any active fire zones, reported receiving the alert around 4 pm PT.
- The erroneous alert even interrupted a live broadcast on Fox LA, leaving the meteorologist baffled.
“An evacuation order for residents near the Kenneth Fire currently burning in West Hills was mistakenly issued Countywide,” explained LA County’s official account.
{Source: LA County Official Account on X}
LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn acknowledged the mishap on X, promising a correction would follow swiftly. This incident highlights the crucial role of technology in emergency situations, especially for Californians dealing with frequent wildfires. However, such errors can unnecessarily escalate panic amidst an already tense environment.
