Emergency officials in B.C. say an automated tsunami alert for most of B.C.’s coast and Vancouver Island was triggered in error.

There is no tsunami threat to B.C. at this time, authorities are assuring residents.

Emergency Management BC sent out an email alert Friday just before 2 p.m. incorrectly warning of a large earthquake in the Pacific Basin, including tsunami alerts for Haida Gwaii, Vancouver Island and B.C.’s north and south coasts.

The false alarm was set off during maintenance work on the BC Emergency Response Management System.

“When I read the alert, I was immediately very interested in what the parameters of it were,” said Oak Bay Fire Chief Dave Cockle, who also serves as emergency program coordinator for the district. “It didn’t take very long to determine whether it was credible because we have instant access to the internet.”

Cockle said though it was a mistake, the emergency alert was a good reminder for emergency officials and residents alike to be prepared in the event of an actual earthquake and tsunami.

“It’s a fire alarm that got set off, if you want to look at it that way,” he said. “It’s a drill.”

Coastal towns like Tofino and Ucluelet were quick to reassure residents there was no emergency.

Tofino Mayor Josie Osborne said the town's beaches were cleared out before fire and city officials learned of the false alarm.

Officials will now look at what caused the error and how to prevent it from happening again.