Kent man pleads not guilty to charges in fatal Chelan Hills fire

Michael Yakimov, an 18-year-old from Kent, pleaded not guilty in Douglas County Superior Court to charges including first-degree manslaughter and first-degree arson. The charges stem from the July 4 Chelan Hills fire, which was allegedly ignited by fireworks being fired from a moving truck along U.S. Highway 97 during a burn ban.

The wildfire resulted in the death of a 69-year-old man, injuries to six firefighters, and more than $6 million in property damage. The blaze destroyed over 100 structures and burned more than 10,000 acres.

In a separate development, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Marshals Service arrested three other men from Western Washington: Valentin Tabunscic, Mark Okhrimchik, and Julian Mikityuk. These individuals are expected to face similar charges related to the incident.