3 more suspects arrested in connection with deadly Chelan Hills Fire, 2 outstanding

Three suspects in connection with the deadly Chelan Hills Fire were arrested Thursday after a joint effort by detectives with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) and the U.S. Marshals Service.

The three individuals, including two 19-year-olds and an 18-year-old, were allegedly responsible for the wildfire that killed a 69-year-old man, injured six firefighters, destroyed more than 100 structures, burned more than 10,000 acres, and caused more than $6 million in losses and property damage, DCSO announced in a press release.

On Thursday, several law enforcement agencies established a plan and coordinated a joint operation to arrest the three suspects in western Washington.

“These arrests underscore the strength of our collaboration with the U.S. Marshals Service,” Douglas County Sheriff Tyler Caille said. “By working together and acting quickly, we were able to locate and apprehend the three suspects, providing an important step toward justice for the life lost, the firefighters injured, and the community forever changed by this wildfire.”

Investigators determined that Roman candle fireworks were allegedly fired out of a moving truck on July 4 by the three suspects while a burn ban was in place. The fireworks ignited dry grass along the roadway and started the Chelan Hills Fire, according to the sheriff’s office.

Personnel from the U.S. Marshals Service arrested one suspect on an outstanding felony warrant for manslaughter in the first degree, arson in the first degree, malicious mischief in the first degree, and assault in the third degree.

“The hard work, great collaboration, and swift action of law enforcement officers in Douglas County and across the state contributed to the successful apprehension of these three individuals,” Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal Michael Leigh said. “We will continue to aggressively pursue anyone involved in intentionally setting fires and destroying our communities.”

The judge set bail at $1 million for each suspect, matching the bail for 18-year-old Michael Yakimov, who allegedly shot the fireworks. The three suspects are not being named because they have not been formally charged.

Another suspect accused of starting deadly Chelan Hills Fire pleads not guilty

Earlier on Thursday, Yakimov pleaded not guilty to manslaughter in the first degree armed with a deadly weapon, arson, malicious mischief, and six counts of third-degree assault.

Yakimov, from Kent, pleaded not guilty to all charges stemming from the fire that started on July 4 in Orondo, an unincorporated community in Douglas County.

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.”

With three suspects recently arrested and Yakimov in custody, that brings the total to four arrests. Authorities previously told KIRO Newsradio, after the 18-year-old was arrested, that four suspects were still on the loose, for a total of six people involved. Now that law enforcement has arrested four people, including the 19-year-olds, two suspects remain outstanding.

Contributing: Jason Sutich, MyNorthwest

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