A woman in South Carolina was arrested by police in connection with a wildfire near Myrtle Beach that led to evacuation orders and the burning of thousands of acres of land. Alexandra Bialousow, a 40-year-old resident of Myrtle Beach, is facing two charges for allegedly failing to take proper precautions while burning debris in her backyard and allowing the fire to spread beyond her property line, as reported by the South Carolina Forestry Commission. Witnesses claimed to have seen Bialousow starting a fire in her yard without access to adequate water and lacking the necessary tools to control it. Bialousow was released from custody on Friday, with her legal representation status unclear. She has not responded to requests for comment from USA TODAY.
The Covington Fire, which started on March 1, was just one of many wildfires that broke out across the Carolinas and the East Coast due to high winds. Horry County had enforced a burn ban for unincorporated areas on February 27, followed by a statewide ban on March 1. Governor Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency as wildfires spread throughout the state. The Covington Fire prompted evacuation orders and the opening of shelters in Carolina Forest, a community near Myrtle Beach. As of the latest update, the fire had burned over 2,000 acres and was 55% contained. The South Carolina Forestry Commission noted that nearly 85% of wildland fires in the U.S. are caused by human activity, whether accidental or intentional, with common sources including unattended campfires, debris burning, cigarette disposal, and arson.
