Police arrested a Myrtle Beach woman in connection with the historic Covington Drive Fire, which has burned over 2,000 acres (now ranked as one of the largest wildfires in the history of South Carolina).
South Carolina Forestry Commission officials charged 40-year-old Alexandra Bialousow on March 6 with two offenses related to an escaped yard debris burn. Investigators say she ignited a fire pit near a tree line in the Covington Lakes Subdivision without proper fire safety measures.
According to SC arrest warrants, Bialousow lacked a water source and did not have tools to control the flames. The fire spread to property owned by the Walker Woods HOA, witnesses reported.
She faces two charges under South Carolina law:
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Negligently Allowing Fire to Spread to Another’s Property (Section 16-11-180): Punishable by up to 30 days in jail or a fine between $25 and $200.
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Starting a Fire Without Proper Precautions (Section 48-35-10): A first offense carries a fine of up to $200 or up to 30 days in jail.
As of Friday morning, the wildfire was over 50% contained, according to Horry County Fire Rescue. Rain earlier in the week and favorable weather conditions helped crews make progress. Firefighters continue to strengthen containment lines and monitor the area for flare-ups.
Authorities are reminding residents to follow all fire safety guidelines to reduce the risk of future wildfires.