The Brief Lightning was caught on camera hitting a tree in Tomahawk, Wisconsin, on Sept. 9. Smith's neighbors used lake water to put out the fire before the fire department arrived to extinguish the rest of the fire. A security camera captured the moment lightning struck a tree in Northern Wisconsin on Sept. 9, sending bark and debris flying through the air. Bolt of lightning hits treeWhat we know:The footage shows a bright flash and a loud explosion as the lightning bolt hits a tree on Mike Smith's property. Footage later shows Smith's neighbors using lake water to extinguish the fire at the base of the tree.