Morris’ evacuation order was lifted at 4 p.m. Friday, after nearly 3,000 residents were forced from their homes due to a lithium fire that started Tuesday at an unlicensed battery company.

       During a news conference Friday afternoon, Morris Mayor Chris Brown announced the evacuation lift, and fire officials said the fire, although contained, may continue to burn anywhere from five days to four weeks. The Fire Department will still have a presence at the scene.

       “The game is to let it burn itself out the way it’s going, right now it’s controlled,” fire Chief Tracey Steffes said.

       He urged residents who drive by the scene to not be alarmed if they see smoke and vapors.

       Police Chief Alicia Steffes said all residents could return to the area beginning at 4 p.m. Friday. Several streets will be blocked off from vehicle traffic, but people residing on those streets can park outside the barricades and return to their homes. There will continue to be extra officers in the area.

       Fire and police officials stage near a burning building containing lithium batteries in the 900 block of East Benton Street on June 30, 2021, in Morris. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)

       Brown said this lift of the evacuation is “just in time for the long holiday weekend,” and fireworks and the Grundy County Fair are both still scheduled.

       Officials said drinking water is safe for residents and air quality is currently good. Len Zintak, the on-scene coordinator with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, said his team is sampling the area for environmental impacts in the air and water. The monitoring that has been done has shown “well below action” levels regarding long-term health risks, Grundy County Health Department spokeswoman Michelle Pruim said.

       There should be little to no damage to homes, and officials said to wipe down surfaces with soap and water. They advised wearing an N95 mask while cleaning up dusty areas.

       Drones are being used to examine the site while officials “let the fire burn itself out,” fire Chief Steffes said. There are multiple investigations still going on at the active site.

       The fire team is still using Portland cement to “smother” spot fires. The cement is poured on the lithium batteries, eventually collapsing the deteriorating batteries and sealing them during thermal runaway.

       Thermal runaway is a process that occurs when a battery’s increased heat releases energy and more heat, creating a feedback loop that continues to the next battery. The cement process is then continued.

       “Do yourself a favor ... and search thermal runaway and lithium batteries on the internet. You will be surprised at what these batteries are capable of doing,” Tracey Steffes said. “There needs to be a call across the nation of educating fire departments, educating first responders and educating the manufacturers of these lithium batteries.”

       He also said he wants either federal or local authorities to create a task force dedicated to responding to lithium battery fires.

       “We’ve experienced one of the largest lithium battery fires in the nation,” Tracey Steffes said. “We, at this point, have no injuries. We have no deaths. And that is a testament to the people in this community that got out of harm’s way when we asked them to, and to the first responders and every agency that stepped up.”

       mrush@chicagotribune.com

       Rift between R. Kelly defense lawyers apparent in latest bid for his release ahead of New York trial

       34m

       Chicago police Superintendent David Brown defends department’s plan as aldermen highlight violent crime

       44m

       Politics Chicago police Superintendent David Brown defends department’s plan as aldermen highlight violent crime

       44m

       Entertainment Chicago will have lakefront fireworks July 3

       2h

       Politics Cost to Bears for breaking Soldier Field lease? Peanuts compared with the price tag for a new stadium in the suburbs.

       5:00 AM