Tooele Army Depot continues detonations through October

Eagle Mountain residents may hear occasional loud booms in the coming weeks as the Tooele Army Depot carries out seasonal demilitarization operations.

These operations are scheduled on weekdays through the end of October and are typically heard around midday, often between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.

“This is common and scheduled during the year,” says Eagle Mountain City Communications Manager Tyler Maffitt. “We know that newer residents to the community may be unaware what these detonations are, but this is a normal part of living in Eagle Mountain.”

The sounds are part of routine detonations used to dispose of expired military munitions. While the booms can be jarring, they are not a cause for concern. This work has been carried out annually since World War II under strict safety and environmental guidelines.

Depending on weather and ground conditions—particularly soil moisture—sound from the blasts can travel farther than expected. That means residents in Eagle Mountain and other parts of northern Utah County may hear the detonations even though the operations are taking place across the county line in Tooele.

Last week, similar detonations caused confusion for some residents along the Wasatch Front who were unaware of the scheduled activity. In response, depot officials provide notifications on their social media channels.

It’s worth noting that no emergency is taking place when these booms occur. The detonations are part of a carefully managed disposal process and are carried out by trained professionals on secured military property.

“Officials with the depot are well-trained and are open about their process throughout the year,” says Maffitt.

If you hear loud sounds around lunchtime on a weekday in the coming weeks, they are most likely from these scheduled operations. Though unusual, these noises are not new—Tooele Army Depot has followed similar disposal procedures for decades.

Eagle Mountain residents who are sensitive to loud noises or have concerns about what they’re hearing can follow the City’s official channels for updates or tune into regional news outlets for confirmation when needed.

In the meantime, a bit of awareness can go a long way. While the blasts may be loud, they’re simply part of ongoing work to safely manage outdated military materials.