The man accused of starting a wildfire on Battle Mountain near Hot Springs pleaded not guilty in Circuit Court on Friday.

Francis Jahn, 57, pleaded not guilty to one count of reckless burning and an alternative count of negligently allowing a fire to spread, according to Fall River County State's Attorney Lance Russell.

Jahn is scheduled for a status hearing on Sept. 21.

Jahn was arrested Friday, Aug. 17, and indicted on the charges by a grand jury.

Firefighters spotted Jahn in the area of a wildfire on Battle Mountain July 15, Fall River County Sheriff Jeff Tarrell said previously. The fire burned about one-tenth of an acre, and crews were able to extinguish it quickly.