Reverse 911 system fails during Douglas County's Spring Valley Fire

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - There was a glitch in the Douglas County Reverse 911 software during Tuesday's Spring Valley Fire so wireless alerts were unable to be transmitted to residents during a critical evacuation notice.

County officials said this unforeseen technology issue posed a significant challenge. However, Douglas County Sheriff's Office deputies and the Douglas County Search and Rescue team were able to conduct door-to-door notifications to alert residents promptly. Their swift action ensured that residents were informed and able to evacuate safely, minimizing potential risks.

The County is actively investigating the cause of the software glitch to prevent future occurrences and is exploring robust backup communication methods to enhance emergency response capabilities.

Just as in Douglas County, El Dorado County has an alert system (RAVE) as well as an incident webpage, social media blasts, and the new Perimeter Map that shows evacuation zones. It is important to have email addresses on the alert system as well as cell phones.