18-year-old arrested in connection with deadly Chelan Hills Fire
Sep 2, 2026, 3:53 PM | Updated: 4:35 pm
The Chelan Hills Fire. (Photo courtesy of Eastside Fire and Rescue via KIRO 7)
(Photo courtesy of Eastside Fire and Rescue via KIRO 7)
An 18-year-old man from Kent was arrested in connection with the Chelan Hills Fire, KIRO 7 reported Wednesday.
Authorities believe he is responsible for starting the fire in Orondo, an unincorporated community in Douglas County, on July 4.
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 KIRO 7. The man was later determined to be 69-year-old Robert Lister. It appeared he was trying to escape the fire.
The fire burned roughly 10,000 acres and damaged around 19 homes and several dozen buildings. Multiple firefighters were injured when the fire first erupted, with injuries ranging from minor burns to smoke inhalation.
In July, Douglas County’s Board of Commissioners pledged $25,000 for information leading to an arrest. The ATF later joined the investigation, adding another $5,000, bringing the total reward to $30,000.
RELATED STORIES
Officials believed fireworks started the Chelan Hills Fire
Douglas County Board President Stacy Willoughby told “The Gee and Ursula Show” on KIRO Newsradio on July 10 that officials believed the fire was started with fireworks.
“We’re pretty sure it was started by fireworks,” Willoughby said. “Douglas County has issued $25,000 as a reward to try to catch the people who started this fire with fireworks, and it’s been really windy over the last two, three weeks.
“We’ve had several days of red flag warnings, where nobody’s supposed to be burning anything, and the wind shifted,” she continued. “It got really crazy that evening. I have friends whose homes were saved, and friends of friends who lost their homes. It just happened so fast.”
Chelan Valley Hope organized both donations and volunteers for those affected by the fire. Donations can be given here.
The 18-year-old suspect was arrested for first-degree manslaughter, first-degree arson, first-degree malicious mischief, and six counts of third-degree assault, KIRO 7 reported. He was booked into the Chelan County Regional Justice Center.
MyNorthwest does not name suspects until they have been officially charged.
Contributing: Jason Sutich and Frank Sumrall, MyNorthwest; KIRO 7
Follow Julia Dallas on X. Read her stories here. Submit news tips here.
