The battle against the Sandy Fire is entering its final round. After chewing through 2,183 acres of rugged Southern California terrain over the last week, fire crews have officially pushed containment to a staggering 90% as of May 26, 2026. The Ventura County Fire Department has scaled down its frontline army, leaving 107 firefighters on the scene to complete the grueling task of putting out the remaining embers.
While the immediate threat to neighborhoods in Simi Valley has faded, the tactics on the ground have shifted into a high-tech game of hide-and-seek. Fire crews are now launching infrared drones into the night skies. These specialized drones scan the blacked-out canyons, mapping underground heat signatures and glowing hotspots that the human eye cannot see from the surface.
Once the sun comes up, the real physical torture begins. Hand crews are using those digital drone maps to hike deep into near-inaccessible, steep wilderness. Armed with shovels, picks, and hose lines, these crews must manually dig out and smother the hidden pockets of heat to ensure the perimeter is entirely dead.
Local authorities are reminding residents that the danger zone is not completely clear. Anyone recreating in the hills or driving on local dirt roads needs to stay highly alert. Heavy fire equipment and support vehicles are still actively manipulating the narrow routes. Fire officials have made it clear that while they have the upper hand, common sense is still required until containment hits a full 100%.
WHAT HAPPENED
The Sandy Fire is now 90 percent contained. Only 107 fire crew members remain on the scene to finish the job.
At night, crews fly drones with thermal cameras to spot hidden heat. During the day, they hike into steep, rocky hills to dig out and douse those last hot spots.
Officials urge people to be careful on local dirt roads. Heavy trucks and fire gear are still using these routes.
WHAT THE EVIDENCE SHOWS
The Sandy Fire is now 90 percent contained.
- Exactly 107 fire crew members are still on site.
- Crews use heat-seeking drones at night to map hot spots.
- Crew members hike deep into rough land during the day to put out sparks.
- Officials warn drivers to watch out for big trucks on local dirt roads.
THE BIGGER QUESTION
How do we decide when a fire is truly done? As dry weather makes fires more intense, the work does not end when the flames die down.
The long, slow grind of cleaning up a forest floor is what keeps nearby homes safe. We must ask if we are doing enough to support these crews after the main news cameras leave.
THE OTHER SIDE
Some local land users feel that closing roads hurts local tourism. Still, fire officials argue that leaving even one small spark alive in dry brush could start the whole disaster over again.
Based on past fire patterns, the safety risk of leaving early is far too high to ignore.
WHAT HAPPENS NOW
The remaining crew will stay on site until the last smoke clears. They will keep patrolling the hills to make sure the fire does not flare up again.
If you live nearby or plan to visit, please stay off the dirt roads. The heavy trucks need clear paths to do their work safely.
WHAT WE STILL DON'T KNOW
- What originally started the Sandy Fire?
- How much did the total fire fight cost local taxpayers?
- When will the area be fully safe for hikers to return?