Kent man arrested in Chelan Hills Fire investigation

EAST WENATCHEE — Michael Yakimov, an 18-year-old Kent resident, was arrested Sept. 2 in connection with the Chelan Hills Fire, nearly two months after the July 4 blaze killed an Orondo man and devastated portions of the Chelan Hills and McNeil Canyon areas.

Douglas County Sheriff’s Office detectives said they developed probable cause Wednesday to arrest Yakimov as the primary suspect responsible for igniting the fire. Detectives traveled to Kent, located Yakimov and arrested him without incident before transporting him back to Douglas County.

Yakimov was 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.

The arrest marks a major development in an investigation that began in the early hours of July 4, when deputies responded to a brush fire near mile marker 233 on U.S. Highway 97. The fire rapidly prompted evacuations and a state mobilization response as it spread through the area.

During follow-up on a missing resident July 5, deputies found a vehicle that had gone off the roadway and was consumed by the fire. Human remains were discovered inside.

The Douglas County Coroner’s Office announced Aug. 31 that the victim had been positively identified as Robert M. Lister, 69, of Orondo.

The Sheriff’s Office said detectives continued investigating both the ignition of the fire and the circumstances that led to Lister’s death before developing probable cause for Yakimov’s arrest.

Sheriff Tyler Caille has scheduled a press conference for 11 a.m. Sept. 3 at the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office in East Wenatchee, where officials are expected to provide additional information about the arrest and continuing investigation.

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