Guards stand at a checkpoint near burning oil fields in Qayara, south of Mosul, Iraq, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2016. For months, residents of the Iraqi town of Qayara have lived in the darkness from a cloud of toxic fumes released by oil fields lit by retreating Islamic State fighters. (Felipe Dana/Associated Press)QAYARA, Iraq — For months, residents of the Iraqi town of Qayara have lived under a dark cloud of toxic fumes released by oil well fires lit by retreating Islamic State fighters. You couldn’t distinguish day from night.”Eight burning wells have been extinguished in recent weeks, said Oil Ministry spokesman Assem Jihad, adding that most were located near homes. Several children ventured deeper into the smoke to get a free meal handed out by the state oil company, which was working to put out the fires.

Source: Washington Post November 22, 2016 18:52 UTC