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 preg-nancy (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.