Wildfire cost nearly $40 million to fight
ST. GEORGE, Utah (AP) — A lawyer for a Utah man charged with accidentally starting a massive wildfire says he will likely get a trial date this year.
Robert Lyman’s attorney tells KUTV that the defense has been in discussion with prosecutors about setting a trial date on misdemeanor charges of reckless burning and burning without a permit.
Andrew Deiss says he expects his client to prevail and demonstrate his actions were not reckless.
Authorities have said the fire was started in June 2017 by weed burning at a cabin in a popular getaway for Las Vegas residents. It destroyed 13 homes and cost nearly $40 million to fight.
The Taylorsville man could face up to a year in jail if convicted on the reckless burning count and six months on a burning without a permit charge.
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