Wildfire rages in South Carolina

Men evacuate from a home as a wildfire approaches near Conway, South Carolina. Officials are urging local residents and tourists to flee to shelters Photograph: Logan Mock-Bunting/Getty

Men spray water on a wildfire as it threatens homes near Conway today. Dry and windy conditions are threatening to stoke the flames Photograph: Logan Mock-Bunting/Getty

Smoke billows behind a group of homes in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina on Wednesday Photograph: Janet Blackmon Morgan/AP

Firefighters attempt to keep a wildfire from crossing a highway in Horry county, South Carolina. Officials say 2,832 hectares (7,000 acres) have burned in the county Photograph: Randall Hill/AP

A wildfire is seen near Conway Photograph: Rebecca Koenig/AP

Smoke darkens the skies above a highway Photograph: Steve Jessmore/AP

Firefighters work to control a wildfire. The fire began along the coast, just west of Myrtle Beach Photograph: Rebecca Koenig/AP

Smoke from a wildfire is seen near Conway. Over 40 homes have been destroyed in the fire Photograph: Randall Hill/AP

Residents watch a wildfire spread. Todd Cartner, a spokesman for Horry county fire rescue, said: 'this is the worst fire on record as far as loss of homes' Photograph: Rebecca Koenig/AP

A wildfire moves towards a South Carolina highway in Horry county. Mark Sanford, South Carolina's governor, has declared a state of emergency for the county, which includes the Myrtle Beach area Photograph: AP