A tree's destruction demonstrates the raw power of lightning.
It is easy to forget the raw, destructive powers of our planet in the modern age. Especially when it comes to weather phenomenon like lightning. We rarely get to see the effects of one of these giant sparks of electricity up close. Most of us have seen the effects of a tree struck after the fact but seeing the immediate aftermath is rare.
A recent video shot in California's San Bernardino National Forest gives a disturbing, yet hauntingly beautiful look at what happens to a tree once it is struck. Twitter user Michael Bogan uploaded the amazing footage earlier this week.
In the footage, the tree has already been struck, and is on fire. As the camera rolls, the tree splits perfectly down the middle sending two giant pieces tumbling to the forest floor in a cascade of sparks and flame. It makes for a spectacular sight, especially at night.
Watched an incredible scene last night @SanBernardinoNF ? Jeffery pine split in two by lightning strike & trunk fire. Thanks to @R5_Fire_News folks for keeping it from spreading! #CAfire pic.twitter.com/1lgHsP56PA
— Michael Bogan (@mtbogan) August 1, 2021
This footage was shot near Big Bear airport. The footage is a bit deceptive because you do not have a sense of just how large this tree is until you see some of the aftermath footage uploaded by the National Forest to their social media channels. In one Tweet, officials said the tree smoldered for more than a day. Because of the massive size of the tree, officials had to put off taking down the remains. The tree is estimated to be nearly 200 years old.
Fortunately, firefighters were able to contain the incident. They also responded to four other lightning strikes in the area.
"U.S. Forest Service Firefighters responded to each of these fires and successfully contained them to prevent from spreading beyond the single trees (and a shrub) that were struck," the U.S. Forest Service announced on Facebook. "Aircraft support was instrumental in both spotting the fires and helping extinguish them with water drops. When it was safe to do so, the trees were felled and mopped up for visitor safety and to prevent any smoldering fire from spreading."
Lightning is usually one of the ways nature naturally starts cleansing wildfires of many natural areas. In this case however, California has had more than enough of those in recent memory. The forest may have lucked out that these strikes did not start a larger fire and subsequent threats to homes and businesses.
The U.S. Forest Service is also using the incident with this tree to remind visitors about the dangers of lightning strikes. They remind us that it is best to move inside a building or vehicle once you hear thunder and to stay inside for at least 30 minutes after the last bit of thunder. Lightning strikes are rare, but most instances are avoidable.
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For more outdoor content from Travis Smola, be sure to follow him on Twitter and check out his Geocaching and Outdoors with Travis YouTube channels.
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