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Balsam Root Fire Arrest

Sheriff Mike Morrison reports, on 7/4/2024 a fire was started in the area of Horse Lake Rd on the hillside west of Wenatchee, known as the Balsam Root Fire.  After an exhaustive yearlong investigation lead by Detective Ernie Senseney, 18 year-old Erik Carranza-Tellez of East Wenatchee has been arrested and booked into the Chelan County Regional Justice Center on charges of Malicious Mischief 1st Degree and Reckless Burning 2nd Degree.

The yearlong investigation included witness interviews, evidence processing, dna collection and testing, in addition to initial information obtained the day of the fire.  That combination of information lead detectives to discover that Carranza-Tellez was in the area the night the fire started, and intentionally lit a mortar-type firework that started the fire.

This is still an ongoing investigation and further information will be released when available.            

SEE FULL MEDIA RELEASE (PDF)

Last Updated: 08/14/2025 07:44 AM

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