Alberta premier blames Town of Jasper for misinformation spread during wildfire evacuation order
CTV
Alberta's premier says changes are needed to the province's emergency alert system after incorrect information was shared about the Jasper evacuation on Monday night.
Alberta's premier says changes are needed to the province's emergency alert system after incorrect information was shared about the Jasper evacuation on Monday night.
An emergency alert communication from the province at 10:18 p.m. indicated the wildfire south of the community would reach the town in five hours.
At 11:09 p.m., the following update was posted:
"The fire is NOT expected to reach the community in five hours. The town should be evacuated in five hours."
Danielle Smith said the information came directly from the Town of Jasper, and it is the first time the town had used the system.
"We may need to just have an additional step just to make sure that when information is going out is communicated accurately so that it doesn't cause that kind of panic," she told reporters on Tuesday, adding she was frightened and stressed by the first message.
