Authorities on Wednesday arrested an 18-year-old Kent man in connection with the Chelan Hills wildfire that ignited July 4 in Central Washington, killing one person and burning about 15 square miles.
Detectives from the Douglas County sheriff’s office traveled to Kent to make the arrest, according to a news release from the office.
The man was booked into Chelan County Regional Justice Center in connection with charges of first-degree manslaughter, first-degree arson, first-degree malicious mischief and six counts of third-degree assault, according to the news release.
The Seattle Times typically does not name suspects before they are formally charged.
Douglas County Sheriff Tyler Caille said he had vowed from the first day to find out who sparked the fire. He called Tuesday's arrest a step in that direction.
This is reckless actions that led to this, that led to the loss of life, but also the loss of 19 homes and lots of property, and literally disrupted an entire rural community, Caille said.
The Chelan Hills fire was one of many large, dangerous blazes burning across the state and region in what became a difficult wildfire season.
The fire, which was first seen burning near Highway 97 on the east side of the Columbia River, killed Robert M. Lister, a 69-year-old resident of
Orondo, Douglas County, with deputies finding his remains in a torched vehicle. The blaze was declared 100% contained on July 10.
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