Suspect charged with setting fire in southern Utah

LOA  — Authorities have charged a Torrey man with arson for setting a southern Utah wildfire that burned about 3 square miles of national forest last month.

Court records show 38-year-old Lance A. Durfey was charged Monday in 6th District Court with the third-degree felony for starting the Lost Lake Fire on June 3 near the town of Teasdale in Dixie National Forest. It took about two weeks to contain. Fighting it cost about $3.2 million.

An arrest warrant affidavit says Durfey admitted to authorities that he started several fires along a horse-and-foot trail with a cigarette lighter after becoming frustrated with the amount of fallen timber blocking his riding route.

Prosecutors have asked that a warrant be issued for his arrest. It was not immediately known if Durfey has an attorney.