India, March 28 -- South Korea's blazes have burnt twice as large in a day and officials have described them as the worst natural fire disaster in the country's history.

With at least 28 fatalities reported and historic temples destroyed, the infernos continue to devastate multiple regions, forcing thousands to evacuate.

More than 38,000 hectares (93,900 acres) of Uiseong County alone has burned or was still on fire. It is the country's largest single fire ever, exceeding the previous record of 24,000 hectares (59,000 acres) caused by a March 2000 blaze.

"We are nationally in a critical situation with numerous casualties because of the unprecedented rapid spread of forest fires," Acting President Han Duck-soo stated during a government...