**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SIMI VALLEY, CA – 1:30 PM PST

WHAT: A rapidly spreading brush fire, designated the “Valley Fire,” has ignited in the hills south of Simi Valley, prompting mandatory evacuation orders for hundreds of residences.

WHO: The Ventura County Fire Department (VCFD) is leading a multi-agency response, supported by the Simi Valley Police Department, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), and the American Red Cross. No injuries have been reported as of this broadcast.

WHEN: The fire was first reported at approximately 11:45 AM local time on Thursday, December 5, 2024. Firefighters were on scene within five minutes of the initial dispatch.

WHERE: The origin point is located in the unincorporated area near the intersection of Sycamore Drive and Tierra Rejada Road. The fire is currently burning in a southeastern direction toward the Medea Creek corridor.

WHY: The cause of the Valley Fire remains under active investigation. Officials have confirmed that the region is under a Red Flag Warning due to critically low humidity and sustained Santa Ana winds gusting up to 40 miles per hour, which have facilitated extreme fire behavior.

IMPACT & CURRENT STATUS:

• Size: Approximately 125 acres and growing.
• Containment: 0% as of this report.
• Evacuations: Mandatory orders are in effect for all residents on Calle Contento and the 7000 block of Little Sycamore Drive. An evacuation center has been established at the Simi Valley Senior Center on Avenida Simi.
• Road Closures: Sycamore Drive is closed between Tierra Rejada Road and Peppertree Drive.

AUTHORITATIVE STATEMENT: “We are facing a very dangerous set of conditions today,” stated VCFD Incident Commander Mark Lorenzen. "