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Chelan Hills wildfire investigation and arrests

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2026-09-18 00:24 UTC → 2026-09-19 01:02 UTC · added ~~removed~~

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.~~ brush during a burn ban. In addition to the initial arrest of Yakimov, ~~authorities~~ the U.S. Marshals Service and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office have apprehended ~~a second suspect, 19-year-old~~ several other suspects from Western Washington. Mark ~~Okhrimchik.~~ Okhrimchik, Valentin Tabunscic, and Julian Mikityuk were arrested and are expected to face charges related to the incident. Okhrimchik faces ~~charges of~~ first-degree manslaughter, first-degree arson, first-degree malicious mischief, and six counts of third-degree assault. During a recent court appearance, ~~Yakimov~~ 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. ~~The Douglas County Sheriff's Office stated that arrest warrants remain outstanding for three additional suspects.~~

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