Kent Man Arrested in Connection With Chelan Hills Fire; Bail Set at $1 Million

An 18-year-old Kent man has been arrested in connection with the Chelan Hills Fire, the July 4 wildfire in Douglas County that killed an Orondo resident, injured firefighters and caused millions of dollars in damage.

Douglas County sheriff’s detectives arrested Michael Yakimov in Kent on September 2, after developing probable cause in the investigation, according to the Sheriff’s Office. The agency said the arrest was made without incident and Yakimov was booked into the Chelan County Regional Justice Center.

The Sheriff’s Office said Yakimov was arrested on allegations of first-degree manslaughter, first-degree arson, first-degree malicious mischief and six counts of third-degree assault.

At a preliminary appearance September 3 in Douglas County Superior Court, Judge Brian Huber found probable cause for Yakimov’s arrest and set bail at $1 million cash or bond. 

Prosecutors had requested $2 million bail, while the defense proposed bail between $20,000 and $50,000, according to court records. No plea was entered at the hearing.

Investigators allege firework was discharged from moving truck

The allegations against Yakimov are detailed in a 13-page probable cause statement filed September 3 in Douglas County Superior Court.

According to the affidavit, deputies were dispatched shortly after midnight July 4 to a brush fire near U.S. Highway 97, milepost 233, north of Orondo. The fire was later named the Chelan Hills Fire.

Investigators wrote that witnesses reported seeing a white Dodge Ram and other vehicles traveling along U.S. 97 while fireworks were being discharged. The investigation eventually focused on a white Dodge Ram, a Nissan Titan and a Mercedes-Benz G-Class SUV that authorities said were associated with the group.

The affidavit says investigators reviewed surveillance video from businesses and cameras in Chelan, along U.S. 97 and in the Sun Cove area as they reconstructed the vehicles’ movements before and after the fire.

Investigators also obtained videos they say were recorded from inside or near the Dodge Ram.

According to the probable cause statement, one video depicts Yakimov in the bed of the truck holding what investigators identified as a firework. 

Another video, investigators wrote, shows him lighting the firework while the truck was traveling on U.S. 97 and firing it from the vehicle. Investigators allege that the location and timing shown in the video correspond with the area where the fire began.

Orondo resident died during evacuation

Robert M. Lister, 69, of Orondo, died during the Chelan Hills Fire.

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office said Lister’s vehicle went off the roadway during the evacuation and was consumed by the fire. His remains were later identified by the Douglas County Coroner’s Office.

The probable cause statement says deputies discovered the burned vehicle while responding in the McNeil Canyon area and later found human remains inside. Investigators subsequently identified the remains as Lister.

The court affidavit also identifies six firefighters who investigators say suffered injuries during the response. The document describes injuries including smoke exposure, burns and other injuries sustained while fighting the fire. Investigators cited those injuries in support of the six third-degree assault allegations.

A Douglas County damage assessment cited in the affidavit contained 59 entries and estimated losses at approximately $6.15 million.

Washington State Patrol authorized state fire mobilization at 4:30 a.m. July 4 at the request of Douglas County Fire District 4. At the time, WSP said the fire was burning in grass and brush near Orondo and Chelan Falls and was threatening homes, infrastructure and public safety.

The Sheriff’s Office said Thursday that the Chelan Hills Fire ultimately burned about 15.6 square miles and destroyed more than 100 structures.

Court imposes release conditions

In addition to setting $1 million bail, the court imposed several conditions that would apply if Yakimov is released.

The order requires GPS monitoring and surrender of any passport. It prohibits Yakimov from possessing firearms or other dangerous weapons, consuming alcohol, entering areas affected by the Chelan Hills Fire in Douglas County and contacting specified witnesses or co-defendants.

The court also ordered Yakimov to remain in Washington state unless he receives prior approval to leave.

His arraignment is scheduled for September 14.