By Times Chronicle Staff
The BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) is cautioning the public on relying on social media for information and updates during wildfire season.
The BCWS has for a number of years battled misinformation but things have taken on a far more serious tone with the increasingly widespread use of artificial intelligence (AI).
“This can be a time of fear and anxiety and during times of concern misinformation can spread quickly and add to the uncertainty,” the BCWS said.
“Whether well-intentioned or intentionally misleading, misinformation is the last thing any of us need during emergencies.
“It is more important now than ever before to ensure you are seeking official sources of wildfire and emergency information and turning a critical eye to content shared on social media in the heat of the moment,” BCWS said in a statement.
Citing two examples the images shown were both generated using artificial intelligence (AI) seemingly showing recent wildfires that were then shared by other accounts. “They do not accurately represent the terrain, fire size or fire behaviour in the area,” the BCWS said.
BCWS images obtained from social media exaggerating the actual fire that took place at Drought Hill just north of Peachland.
Someone scrolling past could believe this image is real or accurate when it is not, it added. This could create a dangerous situation in which residents underestimate the seriousness of an approaching fire or alternatively over-estimate and become unduly concerned.
The Wildfire Service suggests identifying trusted sources before you need them and offers the following suggestions:
- Downloading the BC Wildfire Service App or visiting the BCWS website that gives nearly real-time information on wildfires sizes, what resources are responding, perimeters, images and more.
- Signing up for a local emergency alert system such as Voyent Alert or Alertable can ensure you are informed of evacuation alerts or orders as soon as possible, check with your local government for details.
- Identifying at least one local news source that you trust such as a radio station or newspaper that gives you another channel to receive updates about what is happening nearby. For information on fires in this area visit timeschonicle.ca .
