Machine Gun fire flares up in Herriman

HERRIMAN — Fire crews responded to a flare-up in Herriman on Wednesday in an area that was already burned by last week's Machine Gun fire that destroyed three homes and damaged a fourth.

At about 12:30 p.m., dozens of residents called 911 after spotting smoke above The Cove and Herriman Springs, the first area that was evacuated during the fire. None of the callers reported seeing any flames, said Unified Fire Authority spokesman Brad Taylor.

The fire started Sept. 19 on Camp Williams property while the Utah National Guard was conducting machine gun fire exercises on a day they weren't supposed to be shooting because the National Weather Service had issued a Red Flag warning, meaning high winds and temperatures made conditions right for any potential fire to burn quickly. At the height of the fire, more than 1,400 homes were evacuated.

Although most crews had been demobilized, Taylor said there still has been a 50-member crew of Unified and state firefighters on the mountain each day, putting out hot spots. They were able to quickly respond to Wednesday's flare-up.

There was no immediate word of evacuations due to the flare-up. It was unclear how far up the mountain the fire was burning Wednesday. Taylor said it sounded like it was in a bowl area.

The Deseret News will post more information as it becomes available.

— Pat Reavy