In general, daily mean concentra-tions of criteria air pollutants were not dramatically impacted by the landfill fire but potentially toxic substances including benzene and dioxins/furans were clearly elevated as a result of the fire. Moreover, levels of dioxins/furans exceeded available guidelines based on toxicological evidence suggesting decreased fertility in the male offspring of mothers exposed to dioxins during pregnancy (Faqi et al., 1998). Public health messaging was issued at the very start of the fire and throughout the burning/extinguishing period advising citizens to avoid exposure to smoke from the landfill fire.