The Sheriff’s Office in a press release said the department “did not have a complete understanding of what had occurred” at the time and initially believed the notification had reached its intended audience. The press release explained the Sheriff’s Office decided not to send a second alert correcting the mistake to avoid creating “even greater confusion.” The press release called the mistake an “isolated occurrence” and indicated the Sheriff’s Office will continue using the alert system as the Rocky Canyon Fire unfolds. “We understand how unsettling it was for residents to receive an emergency alert that did not apply to their location,” the press release said. “We know our community must have confidence in both the emergency alerting system and the Summit County Sheriff’s Office’s ability to effectively manage and communicate during an emergency.