A wildfire that’s burned hundreds of homes in coastal mountains northwest of Los Angeles is now the second-largest blaze in California history.

State fire officials say the 425-square-mile Thomas fire burning in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties is slightly larger than the 2012 Rush fire in Lassen County.

The fire, which was only 55 percent contained Tuesday night, is about 1,200 acres smaller than the state’s largest fire ever measured. That blaze, the 2003 Cedar fire in San Diego, killed 15 people.

A firefighter and a fleeing civilian have died in the Thomas fire, which broke out Dec. 4. It continues to threaten 18,000 homes and other buildings.

Firefighters say decreasing winds and higher humidity are helping them but brush in the area remains tinder-dry.