|
The Chelan Hills Fire burned roughly 15.6 square miles (40.4
square kilometers), destroyed more than 100 structures,
including 19 homes, and left one person dead, he said.
The victim was identified earlier this week as Robert Lister, a
69-year-old Orondo resident, whose vehicle had slid off the road
and was consumed by the flames.
In a statement read aloud by a detective during a news
conference Thursday, Lister's family said the arrest allows them
to begin healing.
"Rob's life was taken far too soon, and he will continue to be
loved, missed and remembered by all," the statement read.
Caille urged the others accused of launching illegal fireworks
to turn themselves in, or “we will come find you.” He said all
are over 18 and are “complicit with the same crimes.”
“This is complete recklessness that led to billions of dollars
of loss, loss of Mr. Lister's life and, unfortunately, everybody
involved in that is going to have to pay those consequences,”
Caille said during the news conference.
Washington has had a severe fire season, with blazes scorching
more than 1,125 square miles (2,914 square kilometers) across
the state.
Another man was charged last month with starting the Old Trails
Fire in Spokane, one of three fires in the area that burned more
than 850 buildings and destroyed whole neighborhoods. He is also
charged in connection with four smaller fires ignited in the
summer of 2025 and last month.
All contents © copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights
reserved |
|
