HORRY COUNTY, S.C. – A 40-year-old woman has been charged for allegedly starting a massive wildfire in Carolina Forest, South Carolina, that burned over 2,000 acres and led to the evacuation of multiple neighborhoods.
The South Carolina Forestry Commission arrested Alexandra Bialousow on Thursday, charging her with negligently allowing fire to spread to another’s land and violating fire safety regulations.
Authorities say Bialousow started a debris fire in a backyard fire pit on Saturday, close to a tree line in the Covington Lakes community. However, she failed to have proper firefighting tools or a water source nearby, causing the flames to spread uncontrollably to land owned by Walker Woods HOA.
At the time of the fire, Horry County and the state of South Carolina were under a burn ban, making the fire even more dangerous.
Firefighters battled the blaze for several days, as it spread rapidly across the region. Seven neighborhoods in Carolina Forest were evacuated as the fire grew in size, threatening homes and residents.
If convicted, Bialousow could face up to 60 days in prison and a $400 fine.
In response to the wildfire, South Carolina State Rep. Tim McGinnis (District 56) has announced plans to propose stricter penalties for debris burning to prevent similar incidents in the future.
