An evacuation order issued across Los Angeles County sent residents battling the historic wildfires into panic — until they realized minutes later the alert was sent by mistake.
Phone alarms sounded Thursday night when a message came through urging residents to “gather loved ones, pets, and supplies” and evacuate their homes.
“An EVACUATION WARNING has been issued in your area,” the text message read.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn said on X that the alert was a mistake.
“A correction will be issued shortly.”
Hahn said the alert was meant for the areas impacted by the Kenneth Fire in Woodland Hills.
A correction alert was issued minutes later: “Disregard last EVACUATION WARNING. It was for Kenneth Fire Only.”
“To unnecessarily panic an entire county that has already been on edge for two days is beyond negligent. I am livid,” said Bernie Zillo, a Page Six reporter who lives in the City of Angels with her husband, baby and dog.
“I immediately started packing our bags, which have been by the door for two days, as my husband continued to watch the news. The anchors’ phones went off at the same time ours did, and everyone lives in different places, so their first instinct was to question whether the alert was legitimate.”
Zillo said she realized the alert was a mistake when it was confirmed on the news, with the cancellation alert arriving minutes later.
“Do they know the mayhem that is going to ensue? The traffic? How many people won’t trust the actual alerts that come through now? My heart is still racing,” she said.
Fires sparked Tuesday morning, and days later have ravaged nearly 30,000 acres (47 square miles) in Los Angeles County, causing mass destruction and evacuations.
At least five people are dead, with the death toll expected to climb.
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