The battle against the Sandy Fire is nearly won, but first responders are not letting their guard down just yet. On Wednesday, May 27, 2026, the Ventura County Fire Department announced that the stubborn blaze has been pushed back to 94% containment. After scorching 2,183 acres across Southern California rugged landscape, the massive threat that once closed schools and triggered frantic evacuations has officially been boxed in.

The forward progress of the fire has completely stopped, but a tiny, high-stakes battleground remains open on the southern section of the perimeter. To choke out the final remnants, fire crews are blending high-tech warfare with old-fashioned grit.

During the night, specialized teams are launching infrared drones into the sky to peer through the darkness and pinpoint hidden hot spots smoldering deep underground. Once the sun comes up, elite hand crews are hiking miles into rugged terrain to physically dig out, expose, and fully extinguish those underground pockets of heat before the afternoon winds can whip them back into an open flame.

With the immediate danger to homes in Simi Valley entirely cleared, fire commanders are starting to pack up the heavy gear. The massive force of over 800 personnel that originally descended on the mountain has been dialed back. Currently, a lean team of approximately 50 firefighters remains on scene, pulling guard duty, patrolling the ashes, and ensuring that this beast is dead and buried.

WHAT HAPPENED

The Sandy Fire has stopped spreading after days of quiet behavior. Crews have now contained 94% of the blaze.

But the fight is not over. A small stretch of uncontained fire remains on the southern edge.

During the day, crews hike deep into rough hills to dig up and put out hidden spots of heat. At night, they use drones with heat sensors to spot these hot zones from the air.

WHAT THE EVIDENCE SHOWS

94% of the fire is now contained.

• About 50 firefighters are still on the scene.
• Night drones use infrared sensors to find heat.
• Crew sizes are shrinking as the danger drops.
• Only the southern section has uncontained lines left.

THE BIGGER QUESTION

As fires become more common, how do we protect the small crews who stay behind for the grueling cleanup work? The media leaves when the big flames die down, but the hardest labor often happens in the quiet days that follow.

THE OTHER SIDE

Some residents might wonder why fire crews are already packing up and leaving when the fire is not 100% contained. Fire officials say they must scale down to save money and send resources where they are needed most. This plan seems safe because the fire has not grown for several days.

WHAT HAPPENS NOW

The remaining 50 firefighters will keep patrolling the area to make sure no new sparks fly. Nearby towns can breathe easier as smoke clears and the threat of the fire spreading shrinks to almost zero.

WHAT WE STILL DON'T KNOW

How long will it take to reach 100% containment on the steep southern slope?

• What was the total cost of fighting this fire?
• How soon will the burned land begin to recover?