HORRY COUNTY, S.C. — Officials are warning nearby residents of smoke in the air due to fare-ups related to the Covington Drive Fire.

According to local fire crews, smoldering debris along with dry and windy conditions are producing hot spots well within the established fire lines.  

“All structures remain well protected, but smoke—especially in the early morning—is likely to remain a common occurrence until the area receives a significant amount of precipitation to fully contain this fire and ultimately extinguish it…” Horry County Fire Rescue wrote in a post to Facebook.

Most of the hotspots appear to be located underground, making it difficult for firefighters to extinguish by sprinklers and handlines.

The blaze was first ignited on March 1 and grew to impact 2,059 acres in the Carolina Forest.

Early last month, South Carolina Forestry Commission law enforcement officials arrested a Myrtle Beach woman in connection with the fire.

40-year-old Alexandra Bialousow is accused of not taking proper precautions while burning debris in a backyard fire pit.

According to the arrest warrant, Bialousow “did not have an appropriate water source readily available,” nor did she “have any garden tools on hand to control the fire, thus allowing the fire to spread to land owned by Walker Woods HOA. This incident was witnessed by several neighbors.”

If convicted, she faces a fine and possible imprisonment.

The Covington Drive wildfire remains 90 percent contained as of Wednesday afternoon.