DOUGLAS COUNTY, Wash. — Video obtained through a public disclosure request from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office shows what investigators say were fireworks that sparked the deadly Chelan Hills Fire in July.
The video shows several people riding in the bed of a moving truck with what appear to be Roman candles firing dozens of shots toward another vehicle and onto the roadway behind it.
In addition to the video, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office said Flock cameras helped investigators track those involved to Western Washington.
Detectives with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office arrested Yakimov in Kent on Sept. 2 in connection with the fire. He was taken into custody without incident and transported to Douglas County before being booked into the Chelan County Regional Justice Center, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
The Sheriff’s Office said the other people in the vehicle are expected to face the same charges as Yakimov, the only difference is that of complicity. The Sheriff’s Office is waiting to release their names until arrest warrants are obtained.
According to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, a Department of Natural Resources vehicle crashed during the fire, causing it to erupt in flames. Multiple firefighters suffered burns and respiratory issues while working in the fire zone.
Yakimov faces charges of first-degree manslaughter, first-degree arson, first-degree malicious mischief and six counts of third-degree assault.
COPYRIGHT 2026 BY KXLY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.
