Emergency evacuation alerts have gone off the rails, pinging people seemingly at random. Experts say that such errors can sow mistrust in the alert system, potentially endangering residents down the line.

"It’s hard to see, because there’s so much pain and suffering,” said one local, who dropped off toys at the Westwood Recreation Center in West Los Angeles.

A wireless emergency evacuation alert was sent to residents across Los Angeles County on Thursday afternoon. However, it was meant for people in the order and warning zones for the Kenneth Fire in Woodland Hills.

An alert to evacuate from the Los Angeles County Fire department Thursday afternoon appeared to have been sent in error.

Kevin McGowan, Director of L.A. County Office of Emergency Management, tells KNBC the department does not yet understand what caused the evacuation alert error that was issued throughout Los Angeles County.

Los Angeles County officials announce they are temporarily moving to a new alert system after the current system sent out several evacuation alerts by mistake.