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Video: Teens fire fireworks off truck, starting Chelan Hills Fire
Authorities say cell phone video captured from a passenger on July 4, 2026 shows teens shooting off illegal fireworks that ignited the Chelan Hills Fire, a deadly wildfire that burned 10,000 acres.
DOUGLAS COUNTY, Wash. - New video shows the moments several teens allegedly started the deadly Chelan Hills Fire by shooting illegal fireworks off the back of a moving truck.
Prosecutors have charged 18-year-old Michael Yakimov, who was reportedly captured on cell phone video firing a lit "Trooper Turret" firework along Highway 97, which ignited dry brush along the road and sparked the 10,000-acre wildfire.
The backstory:
The video, which lasts about 30 seconds, was taken from another passenger in the bed of a moving 2016 Dodge Ram truck. It shows a man, believed to be Yakimov, firing a barrage of fireworks at a passing SUV at around 12:05 a.m. on July 4, 2026.
Two stills from a cell phone video allegedly showing Michael Yakimov firing a "Trooper Turret" firework off the back of a moving truck, which later sparked the Chelan Hills Fire.
Detectives claim Yakimov can be heard on video saying, "Don't tell them who was shooting, though," before tossing the firework over the tailgate. Investigators later recovered the "Trooper Turret" firework from the highway near where the Chelan Hills Fire initially started.
Due to low humidity and windy weather conditions, the fire quickly spread from the roadside and burned uncontrollably into the next day. The fire damaged or destroyed about 100 structures and caused an estimated $6 million in property damage.
The fire claimed the life of 69-year-old Orondo resident Robert Lister, whose vehicle slid off the road while trying to evacuate. Six firefighters also suffered burns, thermal lung injuries, or heat exhaustion while battling the Chelan Hills Fire.
Chelan Hills Fire and property damage caused by the fire.
Yakimov was arrested from his home in Kent on Sept. 2. He is now formally charged with first-degree manslaughter, first-degree arson, first-degree malicious mischief, and six counts of third-degree assault.
What's next:
The 18-year-old remains jailed on $1 million bail. He is expected to enter a guilty or not guilty plea in court on Thursday.
Dig deeper:
The Douglas County Sheriff's Office previously said it is also seeking arrest warrants for five others believed to be involved in igniting the wildfire.
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Family of Chelan Hills Fire arson suspect speaks out
The family of the 18-year-old accused of helping start the deadly Chelan Hills Fire of July 4, 2026, is speaking out against the Douglas County Sheriff's allegations.
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The Source: Information in this story came from court documents filed in Douglas County Superior Court, cell phone video acquired by FOX 13 Seattle, the Douglas County Sheriff's Office, and previous FOX 13 Seattle reporting.