In 1991, as Iraqi forces were driven out of Kuwait by the US-led coalition, Saddam Hussein's troops set fire to between 605 and 732 oil wells in Kuwait, creating an environmental catastrophe and disaster for local people and farmers. Efforts to control the massive fires began in April 1991, with 90% eventually extinguished using sea water sprayed from hoses at the base of the fires, according to oil expert Larry Flak.