Dramatic Lightning Strike Hits Wisconsin Backyard Tree, Caught on Camera
A bolt of lightning hit a backyard tree in Tomahawk, Wisconsin on Tuesday with a massive crack and explosion, sending pieces of the tree flying and starting a fire within the tree. The incident was captured on camera, providing a rare glimpse into the intense power of lightning.
Witnesses Describe the Incident
The tree sat on the edge of an otherwise peaceful lake in Tomahawk, until a lightning bolt hit the tree out of nowhere with a big crack. An explosion of orange flames and pieces of the tree’s bark, limbs, and leaves went flying after the lightning made contact.
The sound of the lightning echoed off the lake as the tree settled back down, and smoke arose from around the tree.
Aftermath and Response
A few minutes after the lightning struck, flames crept up the trunk of the tree. Mike Smith, whose property the tree is on, said he was not there at the time and received a text from a neighbor saying his tree was on fire.
Neighbors filled up buckets of lake water at the dock and carried them to the burning tree, helping to extinguish the flames at the base of the tree.
Statistics on Lightning-Caused Wildfires
In 2024, nearly 7,000 wildfires were caused by lightning strikes in the U.S., according to National Interagency Fire Center data. This incident highlights the importance of being prepared for and responding to lightning-caused fires.
The fire department was called to extinguish a fire that was farther up the tree, Smith said.
Smith expressed his gratitude to his neighbors for their help in putting out the fire and assisting with communication with emergency services.
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