Tue Jan 14 10:50:00 UTC 2025: ## Southern California Faces ‘Particularly Dangerous Situation’ Ahead of Extreme Wildfire Risk
**Los Angeles, CA –** The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a rare “Particularly Dangerous Situation” (PDS) warning for Southern California, alerting residents to an extreme wildfire risk beginning Tuesday at 4:00 a.m. This uncommon warning, typically used for tornadoes, has been expanded to include other severe weather events like wildfires, highlighting the imminent threat.
The PDS warning, displayed prominently on the NWS Los Angeles website, signifies an exceptionally dangerous situation requiring immediate attention. The alert system, first proposed over a decade ago, aims to increase awareness and encourage proactive measures during extreme weather events.
Jonathan Howell, one of the scientists who advocated for expanding the use of PDS warnings, stated that the alert is designed to “really increase that awareness and the need to act at that moment.” He emphasized the system’s effectiveness in raising awareness and potentially saving lives.
The NWS has previously used PDS warnings for significant weather events, including tornadoes in the central and northern US, as well as during the Santa Ana wind-fueled wildfires in Southern California in 2024. The upcoming warning underscores the severity of the predicted wildfire risk, which officials have described as “extreme and potentially deadly.” Residents are urged to take all necessary precautions.
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