As officials enter day 7 of battling the Carolina Forest wildfire, crews from Florida have been called in to assist the South Carolina Forestry Commission and local firefighters.
As of Friday, the fire is 55% contained and 2,059 acres have burned since the fire broke out Saturday afternoon. Officials say the cause of the fire remains under investigation.聽
One person has been charged in connection with setting the wildfire.
The SCFC arrested 40-year-old Alexandra Bialousow on Thursday and charged her with negligently allowing fire to spread to lands of another and regulations of fire on certain lands chapter violation, public records state.聽
The Forestry Commission said witnesses reported seeing Bialousow intentionally start a fire in a backyard fire pit that was close to a tree line in the Covington Lakes neighborhood March 1.
The arrest warrant states the suspect 鈥渄id not have an appropriate water source readily available,鈥 nor did she 鈥渉ave any garden tools on hand to control the fire, thus allowing the fire to spread to land owned by Walker Woods HOA."
The incident was witnessed by several neighbors, the SCFC reports.
Both fire-related charges carry up to 30 days in jail and fines up to $200.
Elected officials held a press conference Friday morning to speak about the wildfire and next steps.
Heckled by protesters, U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) said a fire grant with a 75% match, to reimburse the fire efforts, was turned down because a lack of economic impact.
鈥淗orry County and the Grand Strand is a cash cow for the state, to everybody and every other county, the more you invest here, the more you make," he said. "People wanna come here from all over the world, because it is a great place to visit, it鈥檚 a great place to raise a family, and we鈥檙e gonna keep it that way, and to do business. So count me in for more. Whatever grants you're applying for, I'll put my name behind it.
"I think we are going to try that (to apply for the grant) again," Graham said. "I鈥檝e got the chamber here, (U.S. Sen.) Tim (Scott), we鈥檙e gonna get all the restaurant people. You鈥檒l never convince me there's been no economic impact, just from the smoke. There鈥檚 been a downturn in the economy, it's gonna go for a while and we're gonna reapply for the grant, we鈥檙e gonna reform the government, we鈥檙e gonna drive these people crazy. That is my goal, to help you and drive them crazy.鈥
U.S. Rep. Russell Fry (R-7) said Graham and his offices have been talking with the White House about the wildfire and "what were facing here on the ground."
"So they are aware of it as we go through this process," Fry said. "And obviously this area is no stranger to the president. He's been here several times. He did incredibly well here so he understands the needs he also understands the bravery of our men and women in blue and in red and what they do for our communities. So I think we have a willing advocate and asset in the White House."
Protesters chanted "town hall" and carrying signs that read:聽鈥淵ou and Trump are burning down our democracy,鈥 鈥淟indsey Graham is a traitor,鈥 鈥淒id Elon buy congress?鈥 鈥淲hy do you want to take away my son鈥檚 future?鈥
S.C. Rep. Tim McGinnis (R-56) said 55% of fires like the local wildfire start from burning debris.
He mentioned the penalty for burning debris right now is a $200 fine for first offense, $500 for your second offense, though millions of dollars have been spent to fight the Carolina Forest fire.
"I'm going to file a bill that鈥檚 gonna give this teeth so people think twice before they burn outside, particularly when it鈥檚 dry and windy," McGinnis said. "It should be like getting in your car after a few drinks, you think twice about it. Think twice before you burn.
鈥淭his is affecting our businesses, too. Our business is down probably 30,50% this week and the reason is people don鈥檛 want to get out in this smoke. This is having an economic impact on us. So something as a community we will pull through but keep in mind your businesses are out there and they need you back."
Fighting the fire
No injuries have been reported and no structures have been lost, though some were damaged.
An incident management team from the Florida Forest Service will join the SCFC on Friday in the ongoing effort to fight the fire, which is in a nonresidential area behind the Carolina Forest community and off International Drive.
The SCFC said a 28-member Florida team was requested to provide additional overhead on the 2,000-plus acre wildfire, allowing the Forestry Commission to maintain an "adequate level of public safety around the state amid higher-than-usual wildfire activity," the Forestry Commission said in a release.
The Forestry Commission said firefighting personnel, incident commanders, planning chiefs, operations specialists and support staff will work the local fire. "They will shadow the South Carolina team鈥檚 activities today to become fully apprised of the current strategic situation and ensure a smooth transition from one team to another as they help plan and manage the event," the SCFC said.
A burn ban remains in effect for Horry County, and at least five people have been cited for burning during the ban. Those tickets were not in connection with the Carolina Forest wildfire and happened in other parts of the county.
Horry County Fire Rescue has received donations and donated goods, and is overstocked, the department reported Friday.聽
"The kindness means to much, but additional items are NOT NEEDED at this point鈥攚e're overstocked at this point," HCFR said in a post. "If you feel inclined to donate, please direct your resources to deserving programs and organizations throughout our communities."聽
(1) comment
They arrested her then the Judge released her from jail on a $15,000 PR bond this is like a slap in the face of all the first responders who have been risking their life to put out the fire.
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