Chelan Hills Arson Suspect Should Be Charged With Cruelty to Animals, Too, Says PETA

For Immediate Release:
September 14, 2026

Contact:
Moira Colley 202-483-7382

Today, PETA sent a letter to Douglas County Senior Deputy Prosecutor Callan Martinez urging her to add cruelty-to-animals charges to the arson and related charges filed against Michael Yakimov in connection with the devastating Chelan Hills Fire, which scorched roughly 10,000 acres of land near Orondo. Authorities have said they are seeking five additional suspects in connection with the fire, and PETA is urging Martinez to pursue cruelty charges against them as well if they are charged.

PETA points out that, in addition to killing a man, injuring firefighters, and destroying more than 100 structures including 19 human homes, the Chelan Hills Fire also caused terror, injury, and prolonged, agonizing deaths for numerous wild and domestic animals. According to reports, at least three cats and two dogs were killed in the blaze; a resident reported that around 100 animals—including goats, rabbits, ducks, geese, and turkeys—on one family’s property died in the fire; and the bodies of dead deer were seen scattered around the area.

“As the Chelan Hills Fire swept through neighborhoods and hillsides, both wild animals and beloved companions burned alive in agony, while countless more lost their homes,” says PETA Vice President Daniel Paden. “PETA is calling on authorities to hold those responsible accountable for the immense suffering and death this fire inflicted on animals.”

Prosecutors in California and Oregon have pursued cruelty-to-animals charges after PETA sent them similar requests, and won convictions. PETA reminds everyone to never leave animals behind during emergencies and offers tips to ensure the safety of all family members. 

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—points out that Every Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits for people who need a lesson in kindness. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow PETA on X, Facebook, or Instagram.

PETA’s letter to Martinez follows.

September 14, 2026

Callan Martinez

Senior Deputy Prosecutor

Douglas County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office

Dear Ms. Martinez:

I hope this letter finds you well. I’m writing to request that your office add cruelty-to-animals charges, as appropriate, to the arson and related charges that Michael Yakimov already faces, in connection with the devastating Chelan Hills fire near Orondo.

While it’s well known that the fire killed a man, scorched approximately 10,000 acres of land, and destroyed more than 100 homes and other structures, catastrophic fires like this one also inflict terror and suffering on many domesticated and wild animals, causing them to experience severe injuries or prolonged, agonizing deaths. For example, Robert Lister’s two dogs perished by his side in the Chelan Hills fire, and at least three cats were also killed in the blaze. In addition, a family who kept goats, rabbits, ducks, geese, and turkeys lost around 100 animals, and neighbors reported seeing dead deer scattered on the burned hillsides.

RCW § 16.52.207 states that a person who “knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence inflicts unnecessary suffering or pain upon an animal” is guilty of cruelty to animals. Given that Yakimov is accused of knowingly and maliciously causing a wildfire that led to animals’ unnecessary suffering, pain, and death, I respectfully ask that investigators and your office add cruelty-to-animals charges to the counts he already faces. Prosecutors in California and Oregon pursued such charges in similar cases, resulting in convictions. We also ask that you do the same for any additional suspects identified and charged in connection with the fire.

Thank you for your consideration and for the difficult work that you do.

Sincerely,

Sarah Deffinger

Senior Evidence Analyst

Cruelty Investigations Department