Latest news with #AlexandraBialousow
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Horry County, state officials lift burn bans but urge continued caution with outdoor fires
HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) — Outdoor burning is once again allowed in Horry County and across South Carolina after local and state authorities lifted a ban that had been in place in some areas for more than a month because of a threat of wildfires. Horry County officials and the South Carolina Forest Commission lifted the ban at noon on Wednesday while reminding residents that they still must follow local and state burning laws. 'Even when the burn ban is not in place, we ask for consideration and due diligence when actively involved in open burning,' the county said. 'Always remember to lean on the side of safety, and do not burn in windy or dry conditions.' Horry County's ban was initiated in late March before the start of the Covington Drive Wildfire in Carolina Forest, which has continued to smolder. The Forestry Commission lifted its statewide ban on Monday but kept it in place in Horry and five other counties until Wednesday's announcement that outdoor burning could resume. County officials said that even though open burning is legal again, people still must contact the South Carolina Forestry Commission at 800-986-5404 before starting to burn. The county has more information about rules and regulations on its website. The Forestry Commission initiated the statewide ban on March 21 because of dangerously low relative humidity and gusty winds. Improved weather conditions led to the ban being lifted. 'Tremendous progress has been made on containing the two wildfires making up the Table Rock Complex in Greenville and Pickens counties, which will allow the release of resources to return to their home units for response to new wildfire ignitions,' the Forestry Commission said on Wednesday. 'The Table Rock Complex and the Covington Drive Fire continue to be monitored using local resources. Officials also warned that conditions could change. 'Underlying conditions still warrant the need to be extremely vigilant when burning outdoors, as above-average fire danger and activity is expected through April, which has historically seen the worst, most damaging and costly wildfires in South Carolina,' the Foresty Commission said. 'Anyone who burns outdoors and allows their fire to escape will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.' In Horry County, authorities have charged Alexandra Bialousow, 40, in connection with the Covington Drive fire. State officials allege that she failed to use proper precautions to prevent a March 1 debris burn in her backyard from escaping. The fire eventually covered 2,059 acres. Four teens were arrested on Tuesday for allegedly starting a wildfire at Table Rock State Park on March 21. The fire began while Pickens County deputies were searching for Stephanie Womacks, a hiker who was last seen on March 3. The fires across the state also prompted a Myrtle Beach lawmaker to lead for sticker penalties for those who violate public burning rules and regulations. * * * Dennis Bright is the Digital Executive Producer at News13. He joined the team in May 2021. Dennis is a West Virginia native and a graduate of Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. Follow Dennis on Facebook, X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Yahoo
Mysterious smoke plume spotted in Myrtle Beach and Conway area. Here's what's going on
A large debris fire created a highly visible plume of black smoke north of Myrtle Beach. The contained fire is at the Horry County Recycling Center and Landfill, 1886 S.C. 90, Conway, according to a Facebook post from Horry County Fire Rescue. It's not known what started the Sunday afternoon fire, Horry County spokesman Tony Casey wrote in a text to The Sun News. Due to dry and windy weather, Horry County, per the county's fire rescue, has been under a burn ban since March 20. People are prohibited from starting any outdoor fires. Many people shared images of the S.C. 90 smoke plume on social media. The posts comes as the Covington Drive fire continues to smolder in the Carolina Forest area. The fire, which is 2,059 acres and 80% contained, started at the beginning of March. At its worst, the flames moved into resident's backyards, and while no structures were burnt down, many sustained damage from the heat and smoke. Fortunately no lives were lost, The Sun News reported. The South Carolina Forest Commission arrested a Alexandra Bialousow on March 6 for allegedly starting the wildfire, although her lawyer said she is innocent and said the agency is using her as a 'scapegoat.'
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
South Carolina Forestry Commission says it's ‘too early to know' projected price of fighting Carolina Forest fire
HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) — As the Covington Drive fire in Carolina Forest reaches Day 11, the South Carolina Forestry Commission told News13 the agency will cover all its costs associated with fighting the blaze but that it's 'too early to know' what the actual price will be. 'We will cover all our costs associated with the fire — personnel, food, lodging, equipment, etc,' the agency said Tuesday in an email. 'Since the Southeast Compact was activated, we will reimburse the Florida IMT for their costs — personnel, food, lodging, equipment. As with all large incidents of this type, there will be expenses we don't even know about yet that we will have to pay for.' Horry County Government lifts current burn ban The forestry commission said since the fire management assistance grant was approved, FEMA will reimburse agencies and fire departments for 75% of approved costs. 'If the state is in good shape financially, they usually cover the 25% that FEMA doesn't in the next year's appropriations for state agencies,' the email reads. 'That would cover us, National Guard, and EMD.' There is no word, currently, on what projected or actual costs are yet, according to the commission, who said it's too early to know. News13 has reached out to Horry County officials for more information about firefighting costs. The fire remained at 60% containment as of earlier Tuesday. Covington Drive resident Alexandra Bialousow was arrested last week and is accused of starting the 2,059-acre blaze. * * * Caleb is a digital producer at News13. Caleb joined the team in January 2023 after graduating from Liberty University. He is from Northern Virginia. Follow Caleb on X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Yahoo
Myrtle Beach woman ignited South Carolina wildfire that scorched 2K acres, authorities say
South Carolina authorities have arrested and charged a 40-year-old Myrtle Beach woman in connection with a fire that burned more than 2,000 acres around March 1. Alexandra Bialousow is charged with one count of arson/negligently allowing fire to spread to lands of another and one count of regulation of fires on certain lands, according to Horry County records. South Carolina Forestry Commission (SCFC) law enforcement officials determined that a fire pit on Bialousow's property allegedly ignited the 2,000-acre Covington Drive Fire. "Bialousow is accused of not taking the proper precautions to prevent her debris burn from escaping and negligently allowing fire to spread to 'lands of another.' Witnesses reported seeing Bialousow intentionally start a fire in a backyard fire pit that was in close proximity to a tree line within Covington Lakes Subdivision on March 1," SCFC said in a press release. 175 Wildfires In North And South Carolina Force Some Evacuations An arrest warrant states that the suspect "did not have an appropriate water source readily available," nor "any garden tools on hand to control the fire, thus allowing the fire to spread to land owned by Walker Woods HOA." Read On The Fox News App Multiple Wildfires In The Carolinas Force Evacuations, Burn Ban Issued In South Carolina Several neighbors witnessed the fire start to spread, according to the warrant. Woman Accused Of Looting From Home In Palisades Fire Area While Wearing 'Palisades Strong' Shirt Certain neighborhoods in the Carolina Forest area were evacuated on March 1, but the order was lifted on Sunday. No structures were destroyed, and no injuries were reported as a result of the fire. If convicted, Bialousow would face possible imprisonment and fines. She has since been released from jail after posting $7,500 article source: Myrtle Beach woman ignited South Carolina wildfire that scorched 2K acres, authorities say
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Yahoo
Myrtle Beach woman ignited South Carolina wildfire that scorched 2K acres, authorities say
South Carolina authorities have arrested and charged a 40-year-old Myrtle Beach woman in connection with a fire that burned more than 2,000 acres around March 1. Alexandra Bialousow is charged with one count of arson/negligently allowing fire to spread to lands of another and one count of regulation of fires on certain lands, according to Horry County records. South Carolina Forestry Commission (SCFC) law enforcement officials determined that a fire pit on Bialousow's property allegedly ignited the 2,000-acre Covington Drive Fire. "Bialousow is accused of not taking the proper precautions to prevent her debris burn from escaping and negligently allowing fire to spread to 'lands of another.' Witnesses reported seeing Bialousow intentionally start a fire in a backyard fire pit that was in close proximity to a tree line within Covington Lakes Subdivision on March 1," SCFC said in a press release. 175 Wildfires In North And South Carolina Force Some Evacuations An arrest warrant states that the suspect "did not have an appropriate water source readily available," nor "any garden tools on hand to control the fire, thus allowing the fire to spread to land owned by Walker Woods HOA." Read On The Fox News App Multiple Wildfires In The Carolinas Force Evacuations, Burn Ban Issued In South Carolina Several neighbors witnessed the fire start to spread, according to the warrant. Woman Accused Of Looting From Home In Palisades Fire Area While Wearing 'Palisades Strong' Shirt Certain neighborhoods in the Carolina Forest area were evacuated on March 1, but the order was lifted on Sunday. No structures were destroyed, and no injuries were reported as a result of the fire. If convicted, Bialousow would face possible imprisonment and fines. She has since been released from jail after posting $7,500 article source: Myrtle Beach woman ignited South Carolina wildfire that scorched 2K acres, authorities say
