Woman charged with sparking massive Carolina Forest wildfire
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - State authorities have charged a woman in connection to the massive Carolina Forest wildfire that first responders have spent days trying to get under control.
The South Carolina Forestry Commission booked 40-year-old Alexandra Bialousow into jail Thursday for negligently allowing fire to spread to lands of another and regulation of fires on certain lands chapter violation charges, records show.
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The South Carolina Forestry Commission has lifted a statewide burn ban for all counties except for Horry and Georgetown.
Bialousow was booked at J. Reuben Long Detention Center after her arrest. Public records show she posted a $15,000 bond Friday.
Bialousow allegedly started a fire to burn debris Saturday in a backyard fire pit close to a tree line in the Covington Lakes community.
The South Carolina Forestry Commission said Bialousow “did not have an appropriate water source readily available or “any garden tools on hand to control the fire.”
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SCFC said Bialousow’s lack of resources led the fire to spread to land owned by Walker Woods HOA. It is worth noting that Horry County and the state of South Carolina were under a burn ban on Saturday.
A spokesperson for McLeod Health confirmed that Bialousow is employed by the healthcare provider, but that her arrest had nothing to do with her employer.
As of writing, the Carolina Forest wildfire has spread to 2,059 acres.
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The fire also led to scary evacuations of around seven Carolina Forest neighborhoods Saturday into Sunday morning. The evacuation orders were lifted Sunday afternoon
If convicted of both of her charges, Bialousow could face up to 60 days in prison and a $400 fine.
South Carolina District 56 State Rep. Tim McGinnis said that in light of the fire, he will be proposing stricter penalties for burning debris.
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