YAKIMA, WA — A Selah man described by federal investigators as a serial arsonist was sentenced Monday to 20 years in federal prison for setting multiple wildfires across Eastern Washington and illegally possessing a firearm.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington, 34-year-old Zachary Tyler Vantuyl was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Stanley A. Bastian after pleading guilty to five federal arson charges and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Prosecutors said Vantuyl was also ordered to pay more than $1 million in restitution tied to wildfire suppression costs and damages.
Federal investigators with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives began investigating a series of fires set in 2023 and 2024. Witnesses repeatedly reported seeing a white Chevrolet Silverado near several wildfire scenes in Yakima and Kittitas counties. In one incident on Sept. 3, 2024, a witness reported hearing tires squeal before spotting flames moments later. Another witness said the driver claimed to be with the Department of Natural Resources when questioned.
Firefighters and witnesses later identified Vantuyl from photo lineups, and surveillance cameras captured images of the truck investigators linked to the fires. Authorities said firefighters also observed the truck returning to wildfire scenes and lingering nearby while crews battled the blazes.
Investigators also connected Vantuyl to several fires on private property near White Swan within the Yakama Nation Reservation boundaries. According to court documents, a former landlord told investigators Vantuyl had set multiple fires while living on the property and caring for horses. The victim also accused him of killing several dogs and abusing horses.
During a traffic stop and search warrant execution on Oct. 2, 2024, agents recovered a Savage Arms .17 caliber rifle from Vantuyl’s truck. Because of prior felony convictions, he was prohibited from possessing firearms. Investigators also recovered evidence at his residence linking him to the fires.
Court records show Vantuyl had previously been convicted in 2012 on multiple arson charges connected to fires in Ellensburg. Prosecutors said he served 10 years in prison in that case and had additional convictions involving unlawful burning and false fire reports.
Federal officials said the case involved cooperation between ATF, federal land agencies, tribal investigators, fire departments, and local law enforcement agencies across the region.
