Authorities traced this Myrtle Beach wildfire to a South Carolina woman's backyard. She is now facing charges

A woman from South Carolina has been charged after her controlled burn of yard debris spiraled out of control, igniting a wildfire that has already charred over 2,000 acres near Myrtle Beach. Alexandra Bialousow, 40, has been arrested on charges relating to negligence in allowing the fire to spread beyond her property and for failing to take necessary precautions when starting the fire, as reported by the South Carolina Forestry Commission.

According to the arrest warrant, Bialousow lacked both an appropriate water source and necessary garden tools to manage the fire effectively, which allowed it to extend to land owned by a homeowners association. Following her arrest, she was released from jail but faces potential penalties, including up to 30 days in jail or a fine of up to $200 for each offense, should she be convicted.

Witnesses observed Bialousow intentionally starting the fire on March 1, 2023, in her backyard fire pit. Notably, Horry County had already declared a burn ban in unincorporated areas just a few days prior, and by March 1, the entire state was under similar restrictions due to more than 100 wildfires ignited across South Carolina.

The fire, now referred to as the Covington Drive Fire, has persisted near Myrtle Beach and is among over 175 wildfires reported throughout the state. As of Saturday afternoon, this particular fire was 55% contained, with no significant injuries associated with the incident.

The region is currently experiencing moderate to severe drought conditions, exacerbating the wildfire risk, and the burn ban in Horry County remains in effect. Local officials continue to monitor the situation closely as efforts to control and mitigate the spread of fires continue.