In 1991, Iraqi forces redefined what it meant to go "scorched earth" during their short-lived invasion of Kuwait, setting as many as 723 oil wells ablaze as they were forced to retreat from the West Asian nation. Over three decades later, the region is still grappling with the environmental destruction of the inferno — one immortalized in several chilling photos from the ordeal. 

From oil-soaked firefighters to locals doing their best to keep calm and carry on during this harrowing catastrophe, here are 25 blazing photos from the Kuwait oil fires.