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 in South Korea are now the largest and deadliest on record, having burned more forest and killed more people than any previous blaze, officials said Thursday, as the death toll hit 27.

A combination of an aging society and a reliance on temporary workers meant older people were disproportionately on the frontlines tackling South Korea's devastating wildfires this week - and paid a disproportionate price.