Authorities in California have issued new evacuation orders as a huge wildfire flares up again in Santa Barbara County.<br/> <br/>Meteorologists said fresh northerly winds were likely to drive the flames from the fire – named Thomas – towards the Pacific coast. <br/><br/>The blaze, the state's third largest on record, has now burnt almost 1,000 sq km since 4 December. Two people are reported to have died as a result of the fire.<br/><br/>The resurgence of strong "sundowner" winds combined with low humidity forecast for today could fuel the flames and has prompted new mandatory evacuation orders for several Santa Barbara communities, including hillside homes in Montecito and Summerland.