East Wenatchee man arrested in connection with 2024 Balsamroot Fire

WENATCHEE — An 18-year-old from East Wenatchee has been arrested and booked in connection to the cause of the Balsamroot Fire in 2024.

On Aug. 12, the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) reported that Erik Carranza-Tellez was arrested and booked into the Chelan County Regional Justice Center on charges of Malicious Mischief first-degree and Reckless Burning second-degree.

The fire was sparked by a firework at approximately 3 a.m. on July 5 last year, and quickly spread through the Horselake area of the Wenatchee Foothills over a short period. According to the Chelan-Douglas Land Trust, the fire left a 305-acre burn scar, impacting 175 acres of city land and 130 acres of private property.

The arrest follows an exhaustive investigation led by Detective Ernie Senseney over the last year, which included witness interviews, evidence processing, DNA collection and testing and initial information obtained the day of the fire. The combination of the information collected led detectives to discover that Carranza-Tellez was in the area the night the fire started, and intentionally lit a mortar-type firework that started the fire. 

According to CCSO, the investigation is still ongoing and further information will be released when available.

Taylor Caldwell: 509-433-7276 or taylor@ward.media