Chelan Hills Fire victim identified as 69-year-old Orondo man

ORONDO — A man found dead inside a burned vehicle during the Chelan Hills Fire in July has been identified as 69-year-old Orondo resident Robert M. Lister.

The Douglas County Coroner’s Office confirmed Lister’s identity Aug. 31, nearly two months after his remains were discovered in the fire area. His family has been notified, according to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies initially responded to the Chelan Hills Fire shortly after midnight July 4 near mile marker 233 on U.S. Highway 97, assisting local fire districts with evacuation notices as the fire grew. State mobilization was approved at approximately 4:30 a.m.

On July 5, deputies followed up on a report of a missing resident who lived within the affected area. They located a vehicle that had slid off the roadway and was subsequently consumed by the fire.

Human remains were found inside the vehicle and turned over to the Douglas County Coroner’s Office for identification. Authorities have now confirmed those remains were Lister's.

The fire caused significant damage and disruption in the Chelan Hills and McNeil Canyon areas.

Douglas County detectives continue to investigate both the circumstances surrounding the fire’s ignition and the events that led to Lister’s death, according to Sheriff Tyler Caille.

The Sheriff’s Office said additional information will be released as the investigation continues.

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media