Unregulatable Fireworks from the Sky

Shortly afternoon, on this fourth of July, there was a brilliant flash, followed almost immediately by very loud thunder.  I quickly found the old growth tree that had been hit.

This tree is a real lighting magnet.  The first picture shows the tree with a scar from a previous lightning strike

Lightning Magnet Tree showing dark scar from previous strike.

Although there was bark scattered to over 20 feet from the new lightning strike, there were no smoldering, or even warm spots.  The bark had completely blown off to a width of 4 to 5 inches.

Closeup of new strike streak.