VIDEO SHOWS TEEN ACCUSED OF FIRING FIREWORKS FROM MOVING TRUCK BEFORE DEADLY WASHINGTON WILDFIRE

A newly released video appears to show an 18-year-old man firing fireworks from the back of a moving pickup truck shortly before a massive Washington wildfire erupted, killing one person and destroying 19 homes.

Michael Yakimov, 18, has been charged in connection with the Chelan Hills Fire, which tore through parts of Douglas County on July 4, 2026.

According to investigators and court documents, Yakimov was among a group of people riding in the bed of a 2016 Dodge Ram truck on Highway 97 shortly after midnight. Video allegedly captured him launching fireworks toward passing vehicles.

The footage reportedly shows members of the group laughing as fireworks are fired from the moving truck. Investigators say one person can be heard encouraging the others before another voice allegedly says, “Don’t tell them who was shooting, though.”

Authorities believe one of the fireworks landed in dry roadside vegetation and started the wildfire.

The firework recovered near the suspected starting point was identified as a Trooper Turret, a cluster of Roman-candle-style fireworks capable of launching hundreds of projectiles in a short period, according to court records.

FIRE SPREAD ACROSS THOUSANDS OF ACRES

The Chelan Hills Fire rapidly grew under hot, dry and windy conditions, eventually burning roughly 10,000 acres and destroying or damaging more than 100 structures.

Among them were 19 homes, according to authorities.

The fire also claimed the life of 69-year-old Robert Lister, a local resident whose vehicle went off the roadway while he was attempting to escape the advancing fire.

Six firefighters were also injured while battling the blaze.

The destruction caused millions of dollars in property damage, according to authorities and local reporting.

YAKIMOV FACES MULTIPLE CHARGES

Yakimov was arrested at his home in Kent on September 2.

He has been charged with first-degree manslaughter, first-degree arson, first-degree malicious mischief and six counts of third-degree assault, according to court records and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.

His bail was set at approximately $1 million, and his arraignment was scheduled for September 17.

Authorities have also said they are seeking arrest warrants for five additional people believed to have been involved. Investigators have described the individuals as adults who may have been complicit in the alleged conduct.

Douglas County Sheriff Tyler Caille described the incident as an act of extreme recklessness, pointing to the loss of life and extensive property damage caused by the fire.

THE INVESTIGATION CONTINUES

The newly released video has provided investigators with additional evidence as they work to establish exactly what happened during the minutes before the wildfire began.

For residents who lost homes and property, the consequences have lasted far beyond the July 4 holiday.

What began with fireworks fired from the back of a moving truck allegedly turned into a massive wildfire that spread across thousands of acres, destroyed homes and structures, injured firefighters and claimed a man’s life.

Yakimov remains accused of the charges and is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.