# Chelan Hills wildfire investigation and arrests

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/chelan-hills-wildfire-investigation-and-arrests
> Updated: 2026-09-19T00:30:00.000Z. Sources: 15. Developments: 4.

Following the July 4 Chelan Hills Fire in Douglas County, Washington, investigators have released video footage allegedly showing 18-year-old Michael Yakimov firing a ‘Trooper Turret’ cluster of Roman candles from the bed of a moving Dodge Ram truck along U.S. Highway 97. The footage depicts the group of teenagers sparking the blaze by shooting fireworks into dry brush during a burn ban.

In addition to the initial arrest of Yakimov, the U.S. Marshals Service and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office have apprehended several other suspects from Western Washington. Mark Okhrimchik, Valentin Tabunscic, and Julian Mikityuk were arrested and are expected to face charges related to the incident. Okhrimchik faces first-degree manslaughter, first-degree arson, first-degree malicious mischief, and six counts of third-degree assault.

During a recent court appearance, Yakimov, an 18-year-old from Kent, pleaded not guilty to his nine charges and remains held on $1 million bail.

The wildfire burned between 10,000 and 15,600 acres, destroying approximately 100 structures—including 19 homes—and causing property damage estimated between $6 million and $9 million. The fire resulted in the death of 69-year-old Robert Lister of Orondo, whose vehicle veered off the road during evacuation, and injured six firefighters.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-19: Kent man pleads not guilty to charges in fatal Chelan Hills fire

An 18-year-old man pleaded not guilty to manslaughter and arson charges related to the Chelan Hills wildfire, which killed one person and caused millions in damages after fireworks ignited dry grass.

8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kent-man-pleads-not-guilty-to-charges-in-fatal-chelan-hills-fire

### 2026-09-17: Second suspect arrested in fatal Chelan Hills Fire

A second suspect, 19-year-old Mark Okhrimchik, has been arrested for the Chelan Hills Fire in Washington, which killed one person and destroyed over 100 structures after illegal fireworks were ignited.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/second-suspect-arrested-in-fatal-chelan-hills-fire

### 2026-09-15: Washington teen charged in deadly Chelan Hills wildfire

An 18-year-old faces manslaughter and arson charges after video allegedly shows him firing fireworks from a truck, sparking the deadly Chelan Hills wildfire in Washington.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/washington-teen-charged-in-deadly-chelan-hills-wildfire

### 2026-09-03: Michael Yakimov arrested in connection with fatal Chelan Hills Fire

An 18-year-old Kent man, Michael Yakimov, faces manslaughter and arson charges for allegedly starting the July 4 Chelan Hills Fire with illegal fireworks, which killed one person.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/michael-yakimov-arrested-in-connection-with-fatal-chelan-hills-fire

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Cite as: Chelan Hills wildfire investigation and arrests. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/chelan-hills-wildfire-investigation-and-arrests