Five more arrests expected in Chelan Hills Fire investigation

EAST WENATCHEE — Five more people are expected to face the same criminal allegations as the 18-year-old investigators say personally fired the aerial firework that started the deadly Chelan Hills Fire, Douglas County Sheriff Tyler Caille said on September 3.

Michael Yakimov, 18, was arrested Sept. 2 at his home in Kent and booked into the Chelan County Regional Justice Center on suspicion of first-degree manslaughter, first-degree arson, first-degree malicious mischief and six counts of third-degree assault.

Asked Thursday whether Yakimov had been driving the white Dodge truck investigators linked to the July 4 fire or was the person firing fireworks from its bed, Caille was unequivocal.

“He was the person holding the fireworks, riding in the back of the truck,” Caille said.

Caille later said that distinction was why investigators moved first to arrest Yakimov while continuing to prepare cases against five other adults who were in the truck.

“Obviously we were looking for who ultimately started the fire,” Caille said. “With the evidence that the detectives were able to obtain, that's where it led to Mr. Yakimov's arrest.”

Investigators say Yakimov was firing illegal aerial fireworks as two vehicles traveled north on U.S. Highway 97 shortly after midnight July 4. Caille said investigators obtained video showing Yakimov in the truck bed firing fireworks at another vehicle and ultimately toward dry grass along the highway, igniting the Chelan Hills Fire.

Five other people were in the truck, Caille said. All are over 18, investigators know their identities and they are expected to face the same charges through complicity.

“We will find them. We know who they are. They know we know who they are, and there's no secret about that,” Caille said.

Investigators are working with Senior Deputy Prosecutor Callan Martinez to obtain arrest warrants, but Caille gave the five an opportunity to surrender first.

“My words to them right now is to reach out to us, step up, do the right thing, and turn themselves in,” Caille said. “Otherwise, we will come find them, and we will seek them out.”

The five were directed to contact lead Detective Isaiah Graham at 509-668-3087 or igraham@co.douglas.wa.us.

The announcement came during a Sept. 3 press conference at the Douglas County Sheriff's Office, one day before the two-month anniversary of the fire, which killed 69-year-old McNeil Canyon resident Robert Lister, destroyed homes and vehicles and injured six firefighters.

Caille said investigators began with an eyewitness account of two vehicles traveling side by side on U.S. 97, including a white Dodge truck with people standing in its bed and firing aerial fireworks.

Detectives used surveillance footage gathered from businesses throughout the Chelan area with assistance from the Chelan County Sheriff's Office, license-plate reader cameras and extensive cell phone evidence. By Thursday, investigators had obtained 52 individual search warrants in 59 days.

The investigation eventually led detectives through Kittitas County and into Thurston, King and Pierce counties, where the suspects live in varying locations. Caille said authorities presumed the suspects had traveled to the Chelan area for the Fourth of July holiday.

Cell phone evidence included video investigators say shows Yakimov firing fireworks from the truck.

Caille said investigators also received information from an individual that accelerated the investigation. Douglas County and federal authorities had offered a combined $30,000 reward for information leading to an arrest, and Caille said he had begun discussions with county officials about making reward money available to the person who provided the information.

The fire spread rapidly from its ignition point near Chelan Falls, climbing Chelan Hills before wind drove it south toward McNeil Canyon.

Caille described conditions there as a “firestorm,” with winds averaging 30 to 45 mph and gusting above 50 mph. One fire engine was consumed, forcing firefighters to abandon it and escape on another vehicle, while another drove through flames hot enough to break its side windows. Firefighters suffered burns and smoke inhalation.

The six third-degree assault allegations against Yakimov each correspond to a firefighter injured during the response, Caille said.

The fire also claimed Lister's life as he attempted to evacuate his Mountain Springs Road home.

Video provided by Lister's family showed a vehicle traveling through heavy smoke with flames on both sides of the road. Lister was following behind in his own vehicle when he was overtaken by the fire.

His two dogs died with him. Also inside the vehicle were the remains of his wife, who had died exactly one month earlier.

“So not only did family lose Mr. Lister, they also ended up having to lose his wife and their family member again that day while they were trying to get off that hill,” Caille said.

Members of Lister's family attended Thursday's press conference but chose not to speak publicly. Detective Jacquie Williams, who has served as the family's liaison, read a statement on their behalf.

“While no amount of justice can bring Rob back or undo the tremendous loss and pain that his family and loved ones have endured, knowing that the person responsible is being held accountable allows the family to begin to heal from their loss,” the statement said. “Rob's life was taken far too soon, and he will continue to be deeply loved, missed, and remembered by all who know him.”

Douglas County Commissioner Mark Straub, whose district includes McNeil Canyon, said the arrest represented the beginning of accountability rather than the end of the community's recovery.

“Justice and accountability are just one step,” Straub said. “Community healing will take many more steps.”

Martinez will lead the prosecution following Prosecutor Sean Lewis' announced departure from office. She expressed confidence in the evidence investigators have gathered but cautioned against characterizing the prosecution as predetermined.

“I don't think there's ever an open and shut case,” Martinez said.

Caille repeatedly returned to the preventable nature of the fire. Fireworks were prohibited in both Douglas and Chelan counties, he said, and agencies had issued repeated warnings ahead of July 4.

“This is complete recklessness that led to millions of dollars in loss and the loss of Mr. Lister's life,” Caille said.

The investigation remains active, with authorities continuing to prepare cases against the other five suspects.

Caille's message to them remained simple: contact Graham and surrender.

Otherwise, he said, “we will drive back over to Western Washington and we will find them.”

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media