Simi Valley’s 13 Souls Run Returns for a Morning of Remembrance

Before most of Simi Valley is awake on Saturday, August 22, runners, walkers, cyclists, veterans and local families will gather along the Arroyo for the fifth annual 13 Souls Memorial Run/Walk/Ride.

The event honors the 13 American service members—11 Marines, one Navy corpsman and one Army soldier—who were killed in the bombing at Abbey Gate during the evacuation from Kabul, Afghanistan, on August 26, 2021.

Participants can choose from a 1K, 5K, 10K or half-marathon route beginning at the Simi Valley Metrolink Station, located at 5050 E. Los Angeles Avenue. The course follows the Arroyo west toward Madera Road, with each mile of the 13.1-mile route dedicated to one of the fallen service members.

This is not a timed race, and there are no placement awards. Instead, the morning is designed to bring the community together for reflection, gratitude and remembrance.

Check-in begins at approximately 5:30 a.m., followed by a memorial ceremony at 6:15 a.m. Participants will be released onto the course at about 7 a.m., with the community event continuing until approximately 11 a.m. Breakfast will also be served by the Y’s Men of the Simi Valley YMCA.

Proceeds will help support memorial and scholarship funds established by families of the fallen, along with programs assisting military veterans. Local service organizations, volunteers, veterans and Gold Star and Silver Star families are expected to take part.

Registration starts at just $20, making the event accessible to participants of different ages and fitness levels.

Attendance is limited, so advance registration is strongly encouraged.

Whether you complete one kilometer, walk alongside a neighbor, volunteer or simply attend the ceremony, the 13 Souls Run offers Simi Valley an opportunity to pause together—and make sure 13 lives and their sacrifice are never forgotten.

Event Details
Saturday, August 22, 2026
Check-in: 5:30 a.m.
Memorial ceremony: 6:15 a.m.
Run, walk and ride: Approximately 7 a.m.

Simi Valley Metrolink Station, 5050 E. Los Angeles Ave.

Registration and information: 13soulsrun.org

Catch up on local high school sports with this week’s varsity schedule, recent standout performances and alumni making news beyond Simi Valley. This weekly roundup covers Simi Valley High School, Royal High School and Grace Brethren across fall sports including football, volleyball, tennis, flag football and more.

For communities like Simi Valley, where dry hillsides and Santa Ana winds can turn a small ignition into a fast-moving wildfire, earlier detection can make a significant difference.

A new satellite system called FireSat is being built specifically to detect and monitor wildfires from space. On July 7, three operational FireSat satellites launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-17 mission. They are now undergoing several months of testing and calibration, with operational data expected to begin reaching participating fire agencies and researchers later in 2026.

FireSat is led by the nonprofit Earth Fire Alliance, with satellites designed and built by California-based Muon Space. Google Research contributed to the system’s development, including artificial intelligence that helps analyze infrared satellite imagery.

CAL FIRE also played an early role in testing and evaluating the concept.

The satellites use multispectral infrared sensors to locate heat from new and growing fires and can provide information about hotspots, fire boundaries, movement and intensity.

The three new satellites are just the beginning. FireSat’s current roadmap calls for more than 20 satellites during the 2027–2029 buildout, eventually growing to roughly 50 satellites. When fully deployed, the system is intended to detect fires as small as about 5 by 5 meters and revisit locations worldwide approximately every 20 minutes or less.

FireSat will not replace California’s existing wildfire detection systems. Instead, it adds another layer to a growing network that already includes ALERTCalifornia’s 1,200-plus monitoring cameras, AI-assisted fire detection, aircraft, drones, satellite imagery and real-time fire mapping systems.

For Simi Valley residents, the real value is not a new app or consumer alert. It is the possibility that firefighters could receive better information sooner, giving crews another tool to find and respond to emerging fires before they have time to grow.

Excitement is rising as Simi Valley officials pursue landing a USHL hockey franchise and envision a new arena within a vibrant sports and entertainment district.

The city council has assembled a specialized team to study the project’s feasibility and explore partnerships with local businesses and investors.

Simi Valley stands out as a top West Coast candidate for USHL expansion, making the proposal much more than a sports play—it's a chance to revitalize the city’s recreational and economic scene.

Officials believe a modern arena would draw not just hockey fans, but also top concerts, expos, and community events year-round.

While some residents remain cautiously optimistic given past setbacks, city leaders are studying other successful districts for inspiration and aiming to invite broad community input.

If realized, this transformative project could firmly position Simi Valley as a new Southern California destination.

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