Woman Enters Diversion After Carolina Forest Wildfire Scorches 2,000 Acres

Alexandra Bialousow was accused of starting a March 1 backyard burn during a Horry County burn ban that the South Carolina Forestry Commission says grew into a 2,000-plus-acre Carolina Forest wildfire and led to evacuations of about seven neighborhoods. The blaze drew agencies statewide, burned for months and was declared out in June after 95 days, with no structures lost and no injuries reported. Bialousow faced charges of negligently allowing fire to spread and violating fire-regulation rules, penalties that could include up to 60 days in jail and a $400 fine. Her attorney, Jonny McCoy, says she was falsely accused, contends video shows she had a hose and tools on hand, and has called her a scapegoat. The Forestry Commission maintains she lacked an appropriate water source and garden tools and says the fire spread onto Walker Woods homeowners association land. Rather than enter a plea at trial, Bialousow accepted a diversion program offered by the Forestry Commission that will require community service or training and — once completed — result in the charges being expunged, according to her lawyer.