Emergency responders in Colorado’s mountain towns are dealing with a wave of false 911 texts sent via Apple’s satellite-enabled iPhones, prompting major — and unnecessary — rescue operations.
One such alert hit Grand County’s 911 center Friday afternoon, with a chilling message:
“Trapped by fire.”
The location pinged near Meadow Creek Reservoir, a remote area deep in the mountains.
“We had never received a message like that before,” said Grand County Sheriff Brett Schroetlin. In response, multiple agencies, including search and rescue, fire crews, and law enforcement, rushed 40 minutes up a rural dirt road to investigate.
But when they arrived, they found no fire — and no one in distress.
That same day, other 911 centers across Colorado reported receiving similar messages via Apple’s new satellite SOS technology, which allows users without cell service to text emergency services through satellites.
While the technology is designed to save lives in areas without coverage, the recent incidents are raising concerns over false alarms that can drain emergency resources.
This article has been carefully fact-checked by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and eliminate any misleading information. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity in our content.
Katie is a senior who has been on staff for three years. Her favorite type of stories to write is reviews and features. Katie’s favorite ice cream flavor is strawberry.
Leave a Reply