Machine Gun fire near Herriman, Utah, September 19, 2010. Photo: Brian O'Neil
The Commander of the Utah Army National Guard assumed responsibility and apologized for the Machine Gun fire that has burned 4,346 acres and three homes near Herriman, Utah.
The fire started when practice rounds fired from a .50-caliber machine gun ignited dry vegetation. The National Guard failed to check the weather forecast before beginning their live-fire exercise. If they had, they would have found out that the National Weather Service had issued a Red Flag Warning for potentially extreme fire behavior.
Major General Brian Tarbet of the Utah National Guard said:
These are the citizens we we’re sworn to protect and we did not do that Sunday.
Tuesday morning firefighters said they have a line around the fire, but are calling it 20% contained.
It’s refreshing to see some one take accountability for such a mistake. No sugar coating or attempting to re-direct blame in the generals remarks.
My training classes in Officer Candidate School said that “a Commander is responsible for all that his troops do, or fail to do.”
The same message came across in S-520 many years later. Looks like this General paid attention to his classes. Well done, Sir!