Congress Launches Investigation Into LA County Emergency Alerts

California's congressional delegation has initiated an investigation into the faulty emergency alerts issued during recent wildfires in Los Angeles County, which caused panic among millions. Led by Rep. Robert Garcia, the inquiry focuses on erroneous alerts that improperly warned residents to evacuate areas far from active fires, due to a software glitch. Garcia emphasized the critical importance of timely and accurate emergency notifications, noting that unclear messages can lead to public distrust and potentially dangerous situations. The investigation also aims to address delayed alerts for residents in affected areas who received no warnings as fires approached. In response to the situation, the county Board of Supervisors has called for an independent review of the emergency notification system, while lawmakers seek to implement reforms to prevent future occurrences. The letters requesting information from various agencies stipulate a response deadline of April 1.