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CAMP WILLIAMS -- For the first time since the Sept. 19 Machine Gun fire, the Utah National Guard conducted live-fire artillery training exercises. This time, things went as planned.
The target is nearly 9 miles away. It's the kind of training soldiers do at Camp Williams, so when it's time for the real thing they'll be ready.
Training is essential. We cannot send them down range because it's very critical they understand this training.
–Maj. Darcy Burt
"Training is essential," explained Maj. Darcy Burt from the 640th Regional Training Institute. "We cannot send them down range because it's very critical they understand this training."
But every time one of these howitzers fires, many nearby Herriman residents think about last year's wildfire.
The fire was started by sparks during machine gun training at Camp Williams. The blaze destroyed three homes and scorched over 4,500 acres. Thousands of people were evacuated while crews got the fire under control.
Camp Williams says it has put some procedures into place during its exercises now to make sure something like last year's fire never happens again.
"We have real-time weather data that we previously relied on," Utah National Guard Lt. Col. Hank McIntire explained, "and we'll still take that into account, but we're going to give more weight to the forecasted data."
That means red flags warnings, high winds, and dry conditions could stop training.
Also, anyone from a general to a private can call a timeout if they think something isn't right.
It's just part of living here. I'm actually not nervous about that at all.
–Yvonne Scott
"I'm glad they're taking that responsibility," said Herriman resident Rex Frandsen.
Now this training will be safer for those who live nearby. "It's just part of living here," Herriman resident Yvonne Scott said. "I'm actually not nervous about that at all."
Camp Williams is planning on more artillery training Sunday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. if the weather holds up.
To view an official image gallery of the artillery exercises, CLICK HERE .
Email: acabrero@ksl.com
