Superior Mayor Jim Paine Lifts Evacuation Order After Refinery Fire

Superior Mayor Jim Paine announced via social media this morning that the evacuation order for Superior residents imposed yesterday due to smoke from the refinery fire is lifted as of 6:00 am Friday morning. With the improvement in the situation in Superior, the shelter in place order for western areas of Duluth has also been lifted.

Officials monitoring the situation overnight feel confident that there is no need for concern any further after the fire was brought under control Thursday evening and crews continued to suppress hotspots through the night.

The evacuation order imposed Thursday covered much of the city of Superior, spanning a three-mile radius around the entire refinery in all directions, and 10 miles to the south of the refinery due to the smoke plume blowing generally southward. Duluth officials also issued a shelter in place advisory for some people in the western portions of Duluth Thursday night due to concerns some smoke may drift toward this area as winds shifted overnight.