The location here is within a major area where fires were set.

Kuwaiti oil fires

The Kuwaiti oil fires were caused by Iraqi military forces setting fire to more than 600 oil wells as part of a scorched earth policy while retreating from Kuwait in 1991 after invading the country but being driven out by Coalition military forces (see Gulf War). The fires started in January and February 1991 and the last one was extinguished by November 1991.

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwaiti oil fires
• http://froyonation.wordpress.com/2012/02/24/satellite-images-of-kuwaits-1991-oil-fires/