18-year-old accused of starting deadly Chelan Hills Fire pleads not guilty

The 18-year-old accused of starting the Chelan Hills Fire pleaded not guilty Thursday.

Michael Yakimov, from Kent, pleaded not guilty to all charges stemming from the fire that started on July 4 in Orondo and killed a 69-year-old man. Orondo is an unincorporated community in Douglas County.

Yakimov faces charges of manslaughter in the first degree armed with a deadly weapon, arson, malicious mischief, and six counts of third-degree assault.

Video shows fireworks being set off that authorities say caused Chelan Hills Fire

A video recently released shows more than 200 fireworks being set off, which authorities said caused the Chelan Hills Fire. Some of the fireworks hit cars, and others flew into tinder-dry underbrush.

The cell phone video obtained by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office shows fireworks being launched from the bed of a moving pickup while young men whoop and laugh.

Man trying to escape fire found dead

On July 5, deputies found a vehicle that had slid off the roadway and had been consumed by the fire, with a dead person inside, according to the sheriff’s office. The man was later determined to be 69-year-old Robert Lister. It appeared he was trying to escape the fire.

Douglas County Board President Stacy Willoughby told “The Gee and Ursula Show” on KIRO Newsradio on July 10 that the county had issued a Red Flag warning, meaning no one was supposed to be burning anything.

“It got really crazy that evening,” Willoughby said. “I have friends whose homes were saved, and friends of friends who lost their homes. It just happened so fast.”

Fire impacts community

Not only was the fire deadly, but it burned roughly 10,000 acres, injured six firefighters, and damaged around 19 homes and several dozen buildings.

Detectives arrested Yakimov earlier this month in connection with the fire. His trial could start in November.

Contributing: Aaron Granillo and Corwin Haeck, KIRO Newsradio; Julia Dallas, MyNorthwest