Large fire burning near Camp Williams forces evacuations

Large fire burning near Camp Williams forces evacuations

CAMP WILLIAMS -- Crews are working to contain a large, fast-moving fire burning at Camp Williams Sunday. At least 1,262 homes in Herriman have been evacuated.

Fire officials have confirmed two homes have caught fire, but did not give specific addresses. That number could grow overnight.
Herriman City Mayor Josh Mills has declared a state of emergency. Gov. Gary Herbert and Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon are both on site with Mayor Mills.
Unified Fire Capt. Brad Taylor says residents of 232 homes in The Cove at Herriman Springs and all 500 homes in the High Country Estates II subdivision are under mandatory evacuation. The city has now expanded the mandatory evacuation order to all homes south of Emmeline Drive, Butterfield Parkway and Blackridge Reservoir, as well as everything on Rose Canyon Road.
Also included in the evacuation zone, anything south of 14000 South and west of 5575 West. Westbound 13400 South at 5600 West is now being shut down as well.
Officials are asking residents in Salt Lake County to stay off their cell phones so emergency information can be transmitted. Residents are asked not to call 911, but to instead call Herriman City Hall at 801-446-5323. Updates are also available on Twitter at Be Ready Herriman.
An evacuation site has been set up at Herriman High School at 11917 S. 6000 West. The site was originally established at Fort Herriman Middle School but had to be moved when the fire got too close.
As of 9:30 p.m., 75 people had checked into the American Red Cross shelter at the high school.
Large animals are now being evacuated to the Salt Lake County Equestrian Park at 2051 W. 11400 South.
Helicopters have been brought in to drop buckets of water and fire retardant to fight the blaze. Over 100 firefighters and 30 units are working to control the flames.
More than 120 National Guardsman have been activated to help with the effort.
According to Lt. Col. Hank McIntire with the Utah National Guard, the fire broke out at the Camp Williams machine gun range during a training exercise just before 3:30 p.m. The flames are spreading quickly.
Lt. Don Hutson with the Unified Police Department says one woman has been treated for smoke inhalation. City officials are asking everyone to stay away from Herriman because congestion is becoming an issue.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency has authorized federal funds to help cover 75 percent of the costs related to fighting this fire.
We have a crew at the scene and will bring you the most updated details as they become available.

source : Large fire burning near Camp Williams forces evacuations