Simi Valley, United States - July 06, 2024

Residents of Simi Valley are experiencing a sense of relief as fire officials announce significant progress in containing the wildfire that erupted near Sharp Road and Ditch Road on Wednesday afternoon.

Dubbed the Sharp Fire, the blaze has been brought under control to 60% containment and has affected an area spanning 160 acres, according to updates from the Ventura County Fire Department.

Evacuation orders were lifted around 7:30 p.m., allowing approximately 60 homes in the affected area to safely return.

Firefighting efforts faced challenges due to extreme heat conditions, resulting in one firefighter sustaining heat-related injuries and requiring hospitalization.

The fire rapidly escalated from 25 to 30 acres before peaking at 133 acres, prompting emergency services to swiftly issue and then retract evacuation orders. Dry brush and strong winds contributed to the fire's rapid spread, causing anxiety among Simi Valley residents like Anne Brady, who described tense moments as embers fell around their property.