Salt Lake County asks National Guard to cover cost of Herriman fire

SALT LAKE CITY — Salt Lake County is asking the Utah National Guard to pay more than $50,000 to cover expenses incurred a year ago while fighting a fire sparked by weapons training at Camp Williams.

The so-called Machine Gun Fire started Sept. 19, 2010, while the Utah National Guard was conducting live-firing exercises despite weather conditions conducive to the threat of wildfire.

The fire spread to more than 4,300 acres, destroyed three homes and damaged several others. At the height of the fire, more than 1,400 homes were evacuated.

In a letter to Attorney General Mark Shurtleff and state officials, Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill states that suppressing, containing and extinguishing the fire, as well as evacuating residents from the area, cost the county $51,392.44.

Undeveloped land owned by the county also was damaged by the fire, Gill said, though those damages aren't included in the claims filed with the state.

Earlier this month, the U.S. Army denied the county's claim for damages related to the fire.

In a letter dated Sept. 1, Col. John B. Wells said the Army is not authorized to pay "claims for costs incurred by local entities engaged in fire suppression services, as there is no loss or damage to property."

The county now is seeking those funds from the Utah National Guard.

"When the fire struck, Salt Lake County stepped up to the plate," Mayor Peter Corroon said. "We paid for the necessary resources to protect the safety and property of our (residents). Now we are asking that the National Guard do (its) part."

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