While most of the country is firing up backyard barbecues and relaxing with family, a dedicated army of first responders is spending Memorial Day weekend in a grueling, high-stakes battle against nature. Approximately 150 firefighters remain deployed on the front lines of the Sandy Fire in Simi Valley, California, refusing to pack it in until the threat is completely neutralized.
The Ventura County Fire Department delivered a major dose of hope this morning, May 25, 2026, announcing that the destructive blaze is now 75% contained. Following an early morning operational briefing at the dead end of Sequoia Ave., ground crews hiked straight back into the unforgiving, rugged terrain to prevent the flames from waking back up.
This is not just a matter of spraying water; it is a high-tech game of hide-and-seek. Firefighters are actively utilizing advanced infrared drone technology to peer deep beneath the earth's surface. These drones spot invisible, subterranean hotspots that the human eye would miss. Once a heat source is flagged, elite hand crews march into the steep wilderness armed with shovels, picks, and hose lines to dig out the buried coals and douse them entirely.
The Sandy Fire originally erupted on May 18, 2026, exploding across more than 2,100 acres and forcing over 10,000 homes into stressful evacuations earlier in the week. Investigators suspect a freak accident a tractor striking a rock and throwing off a rogue spark—ignited the initial dry brush.
Now that the active flames are mostly choked out, crews are shifting their energy toward extensive suppression repair. The goal is to restore the scarred hillsides as closely as possible to their pre-fire glory. As local neighborhoods pause to honor the nation's fallen military heroes today, residents are sending a massive wave of gratitude to the dispatchers, pilots, and police officers working overtime to keep Ventura County safe.What happened
About 150 firefighters are still assigned to the Sandy Fire in Simi Valley, California. The fire is currently 75% contained.
Crews are meeting near the end of Sequoia Avenue to plan their daily work. They are focused on putting out the last of the fire and fixing the land so it can recover.
What the money/evidence shows
- 150 firefighters are still on the scene.
- The fire is 75% contained.
- Infrared drones are being used to find hidden heat.
- Hand crews are hiking into steep, remote areas.
- Work includes digging up underground hotspots to cool them down.
The bigger question
We often think a fire is over once the flames disappear from view. But what does it really take to call a fire "out" when the ground itself is still holding onto heat?
We should ask how much of our safety depends on this invisible, back-breaking work that happens long after the news cameras leave. It is a reminder that the end of a disaster is a process, not a single moment.
The other side
Officials have not reported any major pushback or complaints regarding the current cleanup efforts. The strategy appears to be a standard and effective way to prevent the fire from starting up again.
What happens now
Firefighters will keep using drones and hand tools to clear the area. This work ensures that the fire does not reignite when the wind picks up or the weather gets hot.
For the local community, this means the area will remain under watch until the risk is gone. It is a slow process, but it keeps homes and the environment safe.
What we still don't know
- When will the fire reach 100% containment?
- What was the final total acreage burned by the Sandy Fire?
- Are there any long-term environmental concerns for the land near Sequoia Avenue?