Police have just arrested a Myrtle Beach woman in connection with the Covington Drive Fire, which has now burned over 2,000 acres in South Carolina.
SC Forestry Commission officials took 40-year-old Alexandra Bialousow into custody on Thursday, March 6, charging her with two offenses related to an escaped yard debris burn.
Investigators say Bialousow failed to take proper precautions, allowing the fire to spread to nearby properties. Witnesses reported seeing her ignite a backyard fire pit near a tree line in the Covington Lakes Subdivision on March 1. According to the arrest warrant, she had no water source readily available and lacked the necessary tools to control the flames. As a result, the fire spread onto land owned by Walker Woods HOA, witnesses told officials.
Bialousow faces charges under South Carolina Code of Laws:
- Negligently Allowing Fire to Spread to Another’s Property (Section 16-11-180): Punishable by five to thirty days in jail or a fine between $25 and $200.
- Starting a Fire Without Proper Precautions (Section 48-35-10): A first offense carries a fine of up to $200 or imprisonment of up to thirty days.
Firefighters Gaining Control
As of Friday morning, the Myrtle Beach wildfire was more than 50% contained, according to Horry County fire officials. Crews focused on reinforcing firebreaks, wetting the ground, and deploying sprinklers where needed. Rainfall on Wednesday helped reduce flames, and officials expect favorable weather conditions Friday with calmer winds. The next chance for rain in the Myrtle Beach area arrives Sunday night into Monday.
Fire officials continue working to fully extinguish the blaze while authorities urge residents to follow proper fire safety precautions to prevent future wildfires.
