Firefighters say a coastal wildfire has spread in one of the busiest tourist spots in South Carolina, destroying more than three dozen homes.

No injuries have been reported in the fire that started Wednesday afternoon.

State Forestry Commission spokesman Scott Hawkins said Thursday morning that the fire had jumped state Highway 22 near North Myrtle Beach and has burned about 40 homes.

He said gusty winds were making the situation worse. Other reports indiciate up to 70 homes have burned.

North Myrtle Beach spokeswoman Nicole Aiello said officials began evacuating the Barefoot Landing resort early Thursday morning. She said shelters have been set up at City Hall and the House of Blues at Barefoot Landing. Officials say more than 1,000 people have been evacuated. More than 100 firefighters are battling the blaze.

She did not know how many people had evacuated or how many homes had been damaged.