(Updates with evacuations, acreage burned, other details)

LOS ANGELES, May 10 (Reuters) - A fast-moving wildfire on the southern California resort of Santa Catalina Island forced residents and tourists to the waterfront on Thursday as flames burned thousands of acres and heavy ash fell over the area.

Many residents in the main town of Avalon, which was virtually surrounded by fire, were ordered to evacuate their homes. Along with the visitors, they boarded ferries that whisked them to the mainland about 22 miles (35 km) away.

It was the second major fire this week in southern California, which is suffering its driest year on record.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department said 4,000 acres (1,600 hectares) had burned on the island. At least one house and several small businesses were destroyed, according to news report.

The U.S. Navy provided hovercrafts that brought in fire engines from the Los Angeles area. More than 300 firefighters were on the ground, but aerial water drops were suspended until daybreak.

Some people in Avalon wore scarves to protect them from the smoke and ash, while orange flames cast an eerie glow over the idyllic harbor and its flotilla of boats. Evacuation was mandatory for only part of the town, which is home to 3,200 full-time residents.

The fire broke out shortly after noon. No cause had been determined.

The island blaze comes just as Los Angeles firefighters gained control of an 817-acre (330-hectare) brush fire that scarred the city's Griffith Park and forced the evacuation of a wealthy Hollywood Hills neighborhood.

Catalina has had just 2 inches (5 cm) of rain since January and residents said they had never seen such a dangerous wildfire or one that threatened Avalon.

The Los Angeles fire was considered the worst in the Hollywood Hills in 50 years and local officials feared it was a sign of things to come.

"We are facing an incredibly difficult fire season," Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has issued an executive order to mobilize more personnel and equipment to respond to wildfires. (Additional reporting by Dean Goodman) (Reporting by Dan Whitcomb; writing by Mary Milliken, editing by Mohammad Zargham; Reuters e-mail: mary.milliken@reuters.com; +1 213 380 2014))

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