Story highlights Thomas Fire is 272,000 acres or about 425 square miles

Weather and wind direction have helped firefighters in controlling the blaze

(CNN) The deadly Thomas Fire in Southern California is now the second largest blaze in state history, officials said Tuesday.

The 272,000-acre blaze is 55% contained, said Bill Murphy, a spokesman for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, also known as Cal Fire.

Milder winds, cooler temperatures and a higher relative humidity have aided firefighters for the past two days.

Cal Fire reported the blaze, which has killed one firefighter, is expected to be fully controlled by the end of the first week of January.

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