LOS ANGELES, Nov 24 (Reuters) - A fast-spreading wildfire has destroyed a dozen homes in the mountains of Southern California's Malibu, the millionaire-filled community hugging the Pacific Ocean, fire officials said on Saturday.

The latest fire to hit this seaside enclave, popular with many of Hollywood's biggest stars, started between Mesa Peak and Corral Canyon around 3:30 a.m. (1130 GMT) local time and has consumed 1,500 acres (607 hectares) so far, Inspector Ron Haralson of the Los Angeles County Fire Department said.

The more than 500 firefighters who have been mobilized to combat the blaze were battling 50 mile per hour (80 kph) gusts of wind. The fire was burning out of control and officials had no estimate for when it might begin to be contained, Haralson said.

"The terrain is absolutely dry, with low rain and Santa Ana winds whipping up," Haralson said. "We knew that we were in red-flag conditions with high winds and low humidity."

Around a dozen homes in the hills above central Malibu had been destroyed. More than 200 nearby homes were threatened, the inspector said.

Mandatory evacuations have been ordered in the Malibu Bowl area, Corral Canyon and Latigo Canyon areas of the town. (Reporting by Peter Henderson and Eric Auchard)

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