NOVA Season 19 Episode 10 Hell Fighters of Kuwait

In the season 19 episode 10 of NOVA titled "Hell Fighters of Kuwait," viewers are taken on a journey into the world of firefighting during wartime. This episode focuses on the brave individuals who worked tirelessly to extinguish the oil fires that were set by Saddam Hussein's forces during the Gulf War.

The episode begins with clips from news broadcasts during the Gulf War – large plumes of black smoke rise into the sky from raging oil fires that have been set ablaze by the Iraqi army. The scene is apocalyptic; the sheer scale of the disaster is overwhelming. The show then takes us behind the scenes to meet the men and women who were tasked with putting out the fires.

Some of the firefighters featured include Red Adair, known as the "the man who could put out anything that burned" and Boots Hansen, his trusted assistant. Red had already made a name for himself putting out oil well fires in the United States, and was soon called upon by the Kuwaiti government to help tackle the infernos raging across their country. The team set up a base of operations in the desert, where they worked 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for months on end.

Viewers will learn about the extreme dangers firefighters faced in fighting the oil fires. High temperatures, thick black smoke, and toxic gases made the job incredibly challenging. Even the simplest tasks, like walking on the terrain or adjusting hoses, could cause burns or other serious injuries. The Hell Fighters had to use every trick in the book, from bulldozing sand to digging trenches, to try and slow the spread of the fires.

In addition to the human toll, the environmental impact of the oil fires was devastating. The smoke and soot from the fires blanketed the region, turning daytime into night. Animals were pushed out of their habitats and water sources were contaminated. NOVA's cameras capture the sheer scale of the disaster as the firefighters are dwarfed by the towering infernos.

The episode also delves into the political backdrop of the Gulf War. Viewers will learn about the tensions between the United States and Iraq that led to the conflict, as well as the role the Kuwaiti government played in trying to put the fires out. The episode provides a fascinating look at how politics and warfare can spill over into the environmental realm, with unforeseen consequences.

Overall, "Hell Fighters of Kuwait" is a gripping, epic tale of human bravery and ingenuity in the face of almost insurmountable odds. The firefighters featured in the episode faced incredible physical and emotional challenges during their time in Kuwait, but they were ultimately successful in their mission. This episode of NOVA is both inspiring and informative, offering an in-depth look at a little-known aspect of the Gulf War.