The Santa Fe County Office of Emergency Management demonstrated a zone-based map for targeted evacuations and explained how the national IPAWS system will deliver urgent evacuation notices to residents.

Why it matters: When evacuations are ordered, a clear zone map and use of IPAWS can provide immediate, geographically targeted alerts that reach cell phones, TVs and radios.

Kyle Elliott, communications and outreach coordinator for the Office of Emergency Management, said the county is doing a "soft launch" of a zone system and that a digital map will be published when ready. "We have the county divided up into 4 different quadrants. ... you can go to the Northwest map here and find the number that's to your address or your zone," Elliott said, giving "Zone 122" as an example residents can watch for in push notifications.

On how evacuations will be sent, Elliott explained the county will use a combination of systems, including the federal Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS). "Evacuations will be sent out a multitude of ways through an umbrella system called IPAWS. ... You will get that same big buzzing alarm on your cell phone and on your TV or on the radio saying evacuate now," he said.

Elliott and other county staff recommended residents sign up for Alert Santa Fe and create a Smart911 profile so that registered numbers and household profiles enhance 9-1-1 response.

Officials did not announce a firm date for the digital zone map; they described the current rollout as a soft launch and encouraged residents to learn their zone once the map is online.