This is the alert that inadvertently went out to everyone in LA County. | Image: The Verge
After two days of dealing with wildfires that have burned thousands of acres, residents across Los Angeles County received a wildfire evacuation alert on Thursday afternoon that was a mistake. Shortly after, officials sent a follow-up alert saying that the notice was intended only for people near the Kenneth Fire in Woodland Hills.
Los Angeles County shared a message on X explaining what happened: “An evacuation order for residents near the Kenneth Fire currently burning in West Hills was mistakenly issued Countywide. This alert was only intended for residents of Calabasas and Agoura Hills.”
CBS News quotes a local official who said that the alert, which included a broken URL, was sent “due to a technical error.”
Image: The Verge
This is the alert to disregard the other evacuation warning.
Many wildfires are burning in the LA area, and officials have confirmed at least six deaths, CNN reports. LA County has a population of nearly 10 million people, which is the “largest population of any county in the nation,” according to the county’s website.
An evacuation order for residents near the Kenneth Fire currently burning in West Hills was mistakenly issued Countywide. For updates on wildfires currently burning in LA County, including evacuation information please visit https://t.co/p46PbDz31o. pic.twitter.com/JRQhOCBx3j
— Los Angeles County (@CountyofLA) January 10, 2025