This wildfire evacuation alert accidentally went out to everyone in LA County

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,” according to the post. “This alert was only intended for residents of Calabasas and Agoura Hills.” The County also points to its website for updates on wildfires and evacuation information.

Image: The Verge

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 “largest population of any county in the nation,” according to the County’s website.

CBS Los Angeles quotes Sup. Janice Hahn, saying “I have been informed the evacuation warning that many of us just received on our phones was mistakenly issued countywide due to a technical error.”