News Summary
Alexandra Bialousow, a 40-year-old resident of Carolina Forest, has been charged with negligently causing a wildfire that affected over 2,000 acres in Covington Drive. Arrested on March 6 and released on a $15,000 bond, she is now requesting a jury trial. Fire officials indicate the blaze is still 90% contained as smoke continues to be a concern. In light of this incident, proposals for updating South Carolina’s public burning laws are being pushed to enhance fire safety.
Carolina Forest Resident Charged in Connection with Covington Drive Wildfire Requests Jury Trial
Carolina Forest – Alexandra Bialousow, a 40-year-old resident of Carolina Forest, has been charged with negligently causing a significant wildfire that has affected over 2,000 acres in the Covington Drive area. Bialousow was arrested on March 6 and faces allegations of allowing a fire that began in a backyard fire pit to spread uncontrollably, ultimately leading to the Covington Drive wildfire.
After her arrest, Bialousow was released from jail the following day, March 7, on a $15,000 personal recognizance bond. Initially scheduled for a court hearing on Tuesday, her attorney, Jonny McCoy, opted to request a jury trial, resulting in the cancellation of the court appearance.
According to reports from the South Carolina Forestry Commission, Bialousow did not take appropriate precautions to contain her debris burn. Witnesses reported observing her ignite a fire in a backyard fire pit located close to the tree line within the Covington Lakes subdivision, raising concerns about safety and fire management.
Despite the ongoing legal proceedings, Bialousow’s attorney has publicly stated through a TikTok video that his client is being unfairly targeted by the authorities, claiming that the investigation was flawed and that there is evidence supporting her innocence.
Status of the Covington Drive Fire
As of now, the Covington Drive fire is reported to be 90% contained, albeit it continues to smolder and produce smoke on a near-daily basis, nearly two months after it ignited. The South Carolina Forestry Commission and Horry County Fire Rescue (HCFR) crews are actively monitoring the situation to manage flare-ups that may occur, particularly in windy and dry conditions that have exacerbated the smoke visibility in the Carolina Forest area.
Community Impact and Regulation Changes
Fire officials note that all structures within the affected vicinity are currently “well protected,” but they have also indicated that a “significant” amount of precipitation will be necessary to completely extinguish the remaining hot spots and fully contain the fire. Reports have confirmed that the fire has caused visible smoke issues, prompting concern among local residents and necessitating ongoing fire management operations.
In light of this incident, a Myrtle Beach lawmaker has been pushing for updates to South Carolina’s public burning laws, which have not been revised since 1962. This push for regulatory reform highlights growing concerns about fire safety and the effectiveness of current laws in preventing similar situations in the future.
As the case against Bialousow progresses and with the wildfire still a pressing concern in the area, local residents and officials remain vigilant and focused on ensuring safety and preparedness in response to ongoing fire risks.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Horry County Bans Outdoor Burning Amidst Fire Hazard Concerns
Myrtle Beach Faces Wildfire Crisis Amid State of Emergency
South Carolina Lawmaker Proposes Tougher Penalties for Wildfire Starters
Myrtle Beach Woman Arrested for Starting Massive Wildfire
Myrtle Beach Wildfire Sparks Arrest and State of Emergency
Large Wildfire Erupts Near Conway, SC, Prompting Emergency Response
Myrtle Beach Weather Update: Mild Times Ahead
Conway Residents Alarmed by Large Debris Fire at Recycling Center
Community Mourns Loss of Woman from House Fire Injuries
Wildfires Rage in South Carolina: Evacuations and Arrests
Additional Resources
- WPDE: Woman Charged in Covington Drive Wildfire
- Wikipedia: Wildfire
- WBTW: Covington Drive Wildfire Suspect
- Google Search: COVINGTON DRIVE WILDFIRE
- ABC News 4: Officials Warn of Smoke
- Google Scholar: Wildfire Management
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Wildfire
- WBTW: Covington Drive Wildfire Flare-Ups
