‘PDS’ Warnings Were Made to Grab Attention in Tornadoes, Hurricanes, and Now Wildfires

A "Particularly Dangerous Situation" red flag warning appears on the National Weather Service's website for Los Angeles due to the extreme risk of wildfires in the region, on Jan. 13, 2025. Rachel Leathe/AP Photo

The National Weather Service’s Los Angeles page screams “Particularly Dangerous Situation (PDS)” in hot pink letters against a gray background.

It’s a rare warning aimed at seizing attention ahead of extreme wildfire risk that’s predicted to start in southern California at 4 a.m. Tuesday.