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Trial for man accused of starting massive Brian Head fire will be in Provo after judge decides he wouldn’t get a fair trial in southern Utah

(Chris Detrick | The Salt Lake Tribune) Helicopter crews work to put out the wildfire burning north of the southern Utah ski town of Brian Head in June 2017.

St. George • A judge has picked a new venue for the trial of a Utah man charged with accidentally starting a massive wildfire in southern Utah last year.

Court records show 62-year-old Robert Lyman will be tried in Provo after a judge decided he couldn't get a fair trial in a county torched by the blaze.

The Taylorsville man could face up to a year in jail if convicted on a reckless burning count and six months on a burning without a permit charge.

The fire near Brian Head destroyed 13 homes and cost nearly $40 million to fight.

Authorities have said the fire was started by weed burning at a cabin in a popular getaway for Las Vegas residents. The defense has disputed that.

They asked for the trial to be moved out of Iron County.