US Wildfires: 40-Year-Old Woman Accused of Igniting Huge 2,059 Acre Blaze in Myrtle Beach Area. Know Why- wna24

California: Alexandra Bialousow, a 40-year-old Myrtle Beach resident, has been arrested and charged with negligently starting a massive 2,059-acre wildfire that has been ravaging the Myrtle Beach area.

As per media reports, the fire is believed to have started from a backyard fire pit in the Covington Lakes Subdivision, spreading uncontrollably due to lack of precautionary measures. The fire escalated into the ongoing Covington Drive Fire, one of the largest in the state, endangering lives and properties in its path.

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According to witnesses, Bialousow failed to have an appropriate water source or tools to control the flames when she started the fire near a tree line on Sunday.

The fire then spread to land owned by the Walker Woods HOA and rapidly expanded due to the dry conditions in South Carolina, which have contributed to a wildfire crisis across the state. As of Saturday afternoon, the fire was 55 per cent contained, but the situation remains critical with the blaze continuing to burn.

The wildfire crisis has prompted the evacuation of residents in multiple neighbourhoods, especially in the Carolina Forest area.

On Sunday, Horry County officials announced that evacuated residents could return home, but they would encounter law enforcement checkpoints and were urged to remain vigilant for potential rekindling of hot spots. Local authorities have advised residents to call 911 if assistance is needed.

The Carolina Forest fire, currently about 1,200 acres, is still not fully contained, though a “good line” has been established around its perimeter. A second wildfire near SC 22 has burned around 800 acres and is 80 per cent contained.

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No major injuries or property damage have been reported thus far, but smoke and low visibility are causing hazardous conditions for both residents and drivers.

In total, over 20 agencies from the Carolinas are assisting in combating the wildfires. Aircraft, including Blackhawk helicopters, have been deployed to drop water on the fires, focusing on critical areas east of Waterford Plantation and northwest of Walker Woods. Horry County Fire Rescue has urged residents to continue monitoring fire conditions, prepare emergency plans, and exercise caution due to the smoke and limited visibility.

Bialousow, arrested on Thursday, faces charges related to negligently allowing the fire to spread and igniting it in a woodland area without proper precautions. She is scheduled to appear in court on April 15. If convicted, she could face up to 30 days in jail or fines for each charge.

This arrest has raised questions about the consequences of negligence in wildfire prevention, especially in areas experiencing extreme dry conditions. The case highlights the risks posed by outdoor fires and the need for stringent safety measures, particularly when living near forested or wooded areas.

As South Carolina battles with several large wildfires, Governor Henry McMaster has declared a state of emergency, with a statewide burning ban in place.

Violators of the ban face criminal prosecution, adding urgency to the fight against these devastating fires.