Published Sunday, March 9, 2025, 1750 hours PT

INCIDENT SUMMARY

A local resident started an intentional yard debris burning fire near a tree line that escapes the fire pit it was ignied in, spreads to area lands and become a large uncontained wildfire while threatening homes and other high value assets.

Multiple broadcasts from officials and news outlets on multiple levels were more than sufficient in warning its residents of impending wildfire danger and burn bans in place to help prevent fires.

CURRENT STATUS

As of this morning’s fire update:

  • 2,059 acres
  • 55% contained
  • Containment lines are holding from Saturday’s work efforts
  • Crews will continue to monitor, patrol, and look for hot spots
  • Smoke is moderate

BURN BAN IN EFFECT

On March 1, 2025, the South Carolina Forestry Commission issued a Statewide Burning Ban for all counties (posted effective immediately at 1511 hours).

This was prohibiting all outdoor burning, including yard debris burning, prescribed burning, campfires, bonfires, and other recreational fires in all unincorporated areas of the State. This was issued due to very low relative humidity statewide and with drying fuels due to being without rain for so long. At the time of their notification, they had already had 102 wildfire ignitions in a day alone, forcing them to tie their hands in making this judgment call.

Later that same day, on March 1st, around 1800 hours, the South Carolina Governor’s Office released a public broadcast of the statewide burning now being in effect due to dangerous wildfire conditions. It stated it means you could go to jail for starting a fire outdoors in South Carolina. Period.

Multiple warnings and broadcasts were made (pleas) by local, County, State, and Federal Fire and Law Enforcement Officials to obey the order.

MYRTLE BEACH RESIDENT STARTS A FIRE

Photo Credit: SCFC

A Myrtle Beach resident has been arrested by Law Enforcement with the South Carolina Forestry Commission for intentionally starting a residential yard debris fire and for failing to take precautions to prevent it from escaping and negligently allowing the fire to spread to lands of another.

She was taken into custody on March 7, 2025.

Witnesses reported seeing the “resident” intentionally starting the fire in a backyard fire pit that was near a tree line within the Covington Lakes Subdivision on March 1st. According to Law Enforcement, the resident did not have any type of fire suppression resources, like a water source near here or the fire in case it escaped.

This is important information as this is the alleged cause of the Covington Drive Fire, a now 2,000+ acre wildfire burning near Myrtle Beach. (News release: https://www.scfc.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/For-Release_Arrest_Alexandra-Bialousow.pdf?fbclid=IwY2xjawI7DBRleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHQO5WLTMhLUtmc3gjMQ9mXcbFPBTpUNI2-U2XdPggM4eE8USd6l6Lxdlog_aem_W2DvnynqkGX5UR28xcgdEQ)

A FIRE BREAKS OUT

A wildfire breaks out and mandatory evacuations begin to take place according to local Fire Officials with Horry County Fire Rescue and post information for residents around 2053 hours for those areas in Indigo Bay, Summerlyn and Farm neighborhoods of Carolina Forest due to a fire threatening structures.

Later, over time, more wildfires broke out, but the largest was the Covington Drive Fire.

STATE OF EMERGENCY DECLARED

The Governor declared a State of Emergency as more wildfires are breaking out all of the State of South Carolina on the morning of March 2nd. Another warning is issued about how those violate the ban will be subject to prosecution.

He was successful on March 8th in obtaining a Federal grant to support their response to the Covington Drive Fire, which funding will cover the costs of additional fire crews, air tankers, and more resources.

(c) 2025 NW FIRE BLOG