A house in North Myrtle Beach, S.C., lies in ruin on Thursday, April 23, 2009, after a coastal wildfire spread early Thursday toward one of the busiest tourist stretches in South Carolina. Officials said as many as 70 homes had been destroyed and at least 2,500 people have been evacuated.
An aerial photo shows smoke from wildfires in the Bare Foot Landing area drifting over a runway in North Myrtle Beach, S.C., Thursday, April 23, 2009. South Carolina Govenor Mark Sanford has declared a state of emergency for the county.
Evacuee Cassandra Painter talks to her family as she waits to return to her home Thursday, Apirl 23, 2009, in North Myrtle Beach, S.C. Wildfires have forced the evacaution of an estimated 2,500 people.
Restaurant Row in Myrtle Beach, S.C., is hazy Thursday, April 23, 2009, from the wildfire that started Wednesday evening. The fire destroyed numerous homes, among them in the Barefoot Landing development, a sprawling complex of houses, condominiums and golf courses separated from the main route through Myrtle Beach by the Intracoastal Waterway.
Evacuee Alicia Shermar cradles her young son Samuel Muehmohans, 2, on Thursday April 23, 2009, as she waits for word on their home in the Summerset community of North Myrtle Beach, S.C. Shermar said she was evacuated at 2 a.m. and could see the flames of the fire in her backyard.
Connie Lupton is kissed by her husband Bob as they spend time at the House of Blues Red Cross center in North Myrtle Beach, S.C., on Thursday April 23, 2009 after evacuating their home, taking only a few documents, as fire was surrounding it early that morning. "I can prove we are married and we were born, that's about it," she said. They fear their house is lost.
Dennis and Mary Anne Gannon, shown in North Myrtle Beach, S.C., on Thursday April 23, 2009, were evacuated at about 2 a.m. from their home in the Barefoot Landing community because of the coastal wildfire that spread early Thursday toward one of the busiest tourist stretches in South Carolina. Officials estimate as many as 70 homes were destroyed.
A boat moves up the intracoastal waterway Thursday, April 23, 2009, as heavy smoke from wildfires cover the skys of North Myrtle Beach, S.C. Wildfires have forced the evacaution of an estimated 2,500 people.
Evacuees listen to North Myrtle Beach mayor Marilyn Hatley during a briefing for residents on a wildfire which destroyed and damaged homes in the community Thursday, Apirl 23, 2009, in North Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Frustrated residents speak with North Myrtle Beach mayor Marilyn Hatley in the parking lot of the House of Blues in North Myrtle Beach, S.C., on Thursday, April 23, 2009. A coastal wildfire spread early Thursday toward one of the busiest tourist stretches in South Carolina, burning dozens of homes and forcing residents to flee in the middle of the night. No injuries were reported.
Smoke billows at the Grande Dunes in Myrtle Beach, S.C. on Wednesday, April 22, 2009. Authorities say a coastal wildfire has destroyed as many as 70 homes and that walls of smoke are blowing over some of the busiest tourist spots in coastal South Carolina.
Firefighters attempt to keep the brush fire from crossing South Carolina Highway 31 on Wednesday, April 22, 2009, in Horry County, S.C. A rapidly-spreading coastal wildfire has destoyed as many as 70 homes, according to officials, and forced an estimated 2,500 people to evacuate as high winds fanned the flames and blew smoke over some of the busiest tourists spots in South Carolina.
A wildfire moves towards South Carolina Highway 31 on Wednesday, April 22, 2009, in Horry County, S.C. South Carolina Govenor Mark Sanford declared a state of emergency for the county after the fire made its way through the popular Myrtle Beach area, destroying homes and forcing people to evacuate.
Smoke from a wildfire is seen on South Carolina Highway 90, near Conway, S.C., on Wednesday April 22, 2009. Authorities say a wildfire whipped by high winds has destroyed homes and that walls of smoke are blowing over some of the busiest tourist spots in coastal South Carolina.
Residents watch as a large fire spreads on South Carolina Highway 90, near Conway, S.C., on Wednesday, April 22, 2009. Officials said Thursday that as many as 70 homes had been destroyed and at least 2,500 people have been evacuated.
Firefighters work to control a wildfire near Conway, S.C., Wednesday, April 22, 2009. Officials said Thursday that as many as 70 homes had been destroyed and at least 2,500 people have been evacuated.