The trial of an Anchorage couple charged with igniting the devastating Sockeye fire last year is scheduled to start Tuesday in District court in Palmer.
The fire destroyed 55 Willow area homes and cost $8 million to fight.
State prosecutors say defendants Greg Imig, 60 and Amy DeWitt, 42, burned debris in June 2015 without properly clearing the area or keeping water on hand. The fire escaped into the forest, where hot, dry conditions and high winds fueled the blaze.
Efforts by state attorneys to negotiate a settlement stalled in mid-summer of this year. The state has charged Imig and DeWitt with eight misdemeanor counts, ranging from reckless endangerment to failure to obtain a burn permit.
The state expects to call scores of witnesses, such as firefighters, homeowners, state troopers and fire investigators.
