SHUNIAH, Ont. - A lightning strike at an area ski hill resulted in a minor grass fire that could not be extinguished immediately due to the danger of a downed power line.
Just after 5:30 p.m., crews with Shuniah Fire and Emergency Services were called to reports of a grass fire at Mount Baldy Ski Area.
There was a heavy rain storm in the area at the time and it appears a hydro pole halfway up the ski hill was struck by lightning.
“We found a large fire on the middle of the hill caused by a downed power line,” said fire chief, Blair Arthur. “At this time the line is still energized. We are still waiting for Hydro to respond and de-energize it so we can extinguish the fire.”
There were no fears of the fire spreading to nearby bush or damaging any structures.
“It is a bit odd that the line has snapped,” Arthur said. “Normally the lines don’t snap. Usually a tree will take out a line, that sort of thing. But the line is actually broken down and there are no trees on it, so I guess lightning took it out.”
