Red flag warnings tell other agencies, like fire and transportation departments, that it's time to staff up and prepare to respond to fast-moving fires. But they're also intended to put the public on high alert.

Wind gusts of 50 to 70 mph in the mountains and 30 to 50 mph on the coasts and valleys are forecast for Los Angeles and Ventura counties on Wednesday. Residents exhausted by days of fire face red flag warnings with the rare "particularly dangerous situation" designation issued for those counties through Wednesday afternoon.

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.

Cal Fire crews are responding to the scene of a brush fire in Ramona that broke out early Tuesday morning, threatening at least one structure.

A new round of high winds could whip up more fires in the L.A. area, with a Red Flag warning in effect through Wednesday.