ORONDO, Wash. — A total of four people have now been arrested in connection with the deadly Chelan Hills wildfire.
On July 4, a wildfire in Oroville started on Highway 97 when a group of young adults launched fireworks off a moving truck. Newly obtained video shows the launching of these fireworks. At one point, a firework hits a passing car and explodes.
Investigators determined the fireworks ignited dry grass along the highway, starting the Chelan Hills Fire.
The fire burned nearly 10,000 acres and destroyed over 100 homes and buildings.
A man and his dogs were killed while trying to escape the flames.
In early September, 18-year-old Kent man Michael Yakimov was arrested and charged in connection with the fire.
He pleaded not guilty to first-degree manslaughter, first-degree arson, first-degree malicious mischief and six counts of third-degree assault.
In the afternoon of Sept. 17, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office announced that a 19-year-old from University Place was also arrested for the fires.
Later in the night, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office announced that two more people were arrested for the fires: an 18-year-old from Tacoma and a 19-year-old from Pacific.
KIRO 7 is not naming the individuals because they have not been officially charged.
The individuals were arrested by the U.S. Marshals Service.
“These arrests underscore the strength of our collaboration with the U.S. Marshals Service. 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,” said Douglas County Sheriff Tyler Caille.
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