A particularly dangerous situation red flag warning is in place from noon Monday to 10 a.m. PT Tuesday for a large portion of Ventura and Los Angeles counties.

With the PDS warning, officials said Monday that residents should be prepared to leave immediately as the critical fire danger weather ramps up.

Fire crews in the Los Angeles area are strategically positioned to respond to the Particularly Dangerous Situation weather warning, which is now in effect through Tuesday, officials said Monday morning.

Here's a guide to understanding "particularly dangerous situation" red flag warnings, containment, and other terms related to the devastating fires that have left much of the LA area in ruins.

As firefighters struggle to gain control of massive and deadly wildfires that are raging across parts of the Los Angeles area, the region is once again bracing for the potential of new fires and for current ones to intensify as a new storm system heads for the state.

Here's a guide to understanding "particularly dangerous situation" red flag warnings, containment, and other terms related to the devastating fires that have left much of the LA area in ruins.

Gusts of up to 70 mph are possible along the coast and valleys, and in the mountains, up to 100 mph, the National Weather Service said. Swaths of Los Angeles County, and most of Ventura County, are at the highest risk.