Kent, WA teen arrested, 5 others sought in deadly Chelan Hills Fire
18-year-old arrested, 5 others sought in deadly WA wildfire
An 18-year-old has been arrested for starting the deadly Chelan Hills Fire with illegal fireworks on July 4, 2026, and five others are also sought in the investigation.
CHELAN COUNTY, Wash. - An 18-year-old from Kent was arrested, accused of starting the deadly Chelan Hills Fire with illegal fireworks on July 4, 2026.
The Douglas County Sheriff's Office announced Tuesday they had arrested and booked the teen into the Chelan County Regional Justice Center on charges of first-degree arson, first-degree manslaughter, first-degree malicious mischief and six counts of third-degree assault.
Detectives say the teen was part of a group setting off illegal fireworks from the back of a truck off Highway 97 when a firework landed in roadside brush.
The backstory:
The Chelan Hills Fire burned about 10,000 acres in total, destroying more than 100 structures and leaving one person dead.
High temperatures, low humidity and strong winds caused the fire to triple in size during initial attack efforts, trapping firefighters and damaging emergency vehicles.
Former sight of the Joga's family home, destroyed by the Chelan Hills Fire.
The Sheriff's Office said the fire claimed the life of 69-year-old Orondo resident Robert Lister. Lister died after his vehicle slid off the road while trying to evacuate, and was consumed by flames. His body was recovered the following day inside the burned truck.
Douglas County Sheriff Tyler Caille confirmed days after the fire started that a criminal investigation was underway, as someone was believed to have started the fast-moving wildfire.
Months later, on Sept. 2, detectives arrested an 18-year-old man in Kent, who they identified as the primary suspect responsible for igniting the Chelan Hills Fire.
What they're saying:
During a press conference on Thursday, Sheriff Caille said authorities are also seeking arrest warrants for five others believed to be involved in igniting the wildfire, which sparked just after midnight.
Caille urged the five remaining suspects to turn themselves in, or "we will come find you." He said all are over 18 and are "complicit with the same crimes."
The 18-year-old suspect is currently being held on $1 million bail. His next court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 14 at 1 p.m.
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The Source: Information in this story came from the Douglas County Sheriff's Office and previous FOX 13 Seattle reporting.