The Deschutes County Alerts program has seen a significant jump in new registrations following the recent Flat Fire, with more than 3,500 people signing up in less than a week. According to the county, on August 23 alone, more than 1,300 new registrations were recorded. This brings the total number of sign-ups to 70,976 countywide. Deschutes Alerts is the county’s official emergency notification service, designed to provide residents with critical information about evacuations, severe weather, hazardous material incidents, law enforcement actions, and other public safety threats.
Alerts are delivered via text, phone call, email, and TTY/TTY, allowing residents to stay informed based on their location. Data collected by the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Management team shows that the surge in sign-ups was widespread, with new registrations occurring not just in areas affected by the Flat Fire, but across the entire county. This increase in sign-ups coincided with the height of the Flat Fire, which threatened approximately 4,000 structures, including homes.
Ashley Volz, Emergency Services Coordinator for the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, emphasized the importance of being prepared for emergencies: “Emergencies can happen suddenly, and the Flat Fire was a stark reminder of how quickly things can change,” Volz said. “Deschutes Alerts is one of the best tools to help you and your family stay informed and safe when every minute counts. It’s not just for wildfires—it’s for any situation where public safety is at risk.”
