Photo: Shutterstock The National Weather Service office in Salt Lake City has issued its first-ever Particularly Dangerous Situation (PDS) Red Flag Warning, describing it as an exceptionally rare event as critical fire weather conditions develop across central and southern Utah.
The warning is in effect Friday from 9:00 a.m. until midnight for parts of the Southwest Desert and the Central and Southern Mountains, including areas affected by the Cottonwood Fire.
Officials warned that strong, gusty winds combined with extremely dry conditions could lead to very rapid wildfire growth, making any new fire ignition potentially dangerous and difficult to contain.
"This is the FIRST Particularly Dangerous Situation Red Flag Warning issued in NWS Salt Lake City history," the weather office said in a statement. "This is an exceptionally rare event."
A weather map released by the agency shows a broad area under Red Flag Warnings, with the most critical regions highlighted as a Particularly Dangerous Situation (PDS), indicating the highest level of concern for explosive wildfire behavior if fires ignite.
The warning comes as the National Weather Service and the Storm Prediction Center forecast a widespread fire weather pattern across much of the Intermountain West beginning Friday and continuing into early next week.
Residents and visitors in affected areas are urged to avoid activities that could spark wildfires, follow evacuation instructions if issued, and monitor updates from local authorities as conditions evolve.