Chamchamal Fire Well

This well was dug in 2015 to irrigate a nearby farm. Since then, a fire has been consuming about 2,200 liters of gas/day, causing health and environmental concerns. The root of the problem are the old wells dug for oil exploration by the British and Iraqi governments in the mid-20th century. The excavation caused high gas pressure in the area. The boiling water is combined with an ever present methane which has been ignited and continually blazes.