A 40-year-old woman from Myrtle Beach, Alexandra Bialousow, has been charged in connection with a wildfire that scorched over 2,000 acres in South Carolina. The fire, known as the Covington Drive Fire, began on March 1 and quickly spread, prompting evacuations in certain neighborhoods around Myrtle Beach.
According to the South Carolina Forestry Commission, Bialousow allegedly started a fire in a backyard fire pit near a tree line in the Covington Lakes subdivision. Witnesses reported seeing her start the fire without taking necessary precautions, such as having an appropriate water source or garden tools to control it. As a result, the fire spread to land owned by Walker Woods Homeowners Association.
Bialousow faces charges of negligently allowing fire to spread and starting a fire without proper precautions. If convicted, she could face up to 30 days in jail or fines for each offense. She was released from jail after posting a $7,500 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on April 15.
The fire is one of the largest among more than 175 wildfires that have erupted across South Carolina, fueled by dry conditions and strong winds. South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency and issued a statewide burn ban to combat the fires.
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