Officials say the most destructive wildfires ever to hit South Korea are almost contained. The government's announcement Friday comes after rain and cooler temperatures helped fire crew put out the blazes that have killed 28 people and razed vast swaths of land since last week.

Wildfires raging in South Korea doubled in size on Thursday from a day earlier, as authorities called the blazes the country's worst natural fire disaster with at least 28 people killed and historic temples incinerated.

The country’s largest blaze on record has left 27 dead and destroyed heritage sites, including two 1,000-year-old temples.