Lightning Strike Ignites Elevator at Ranch
A late afternoon lightning strike caused a fire at the Wyett Swanson ranch, burning down their empty elevator six miles north and one mile east of Provost on Tuesday, May 12.

Swanson said the rain that fell that afternoon “saved the day, otherwise it could’ve been a disaster” with spreading flames.

“We had a heavy rain shower and I was going through the yard to the house to get rubber boots. There was a big clap of thunder. I got in the house, put on my rubber boots, and (wife) Marion said the elevator is on fire. We called the fire department right away.”

Firemen were called at approximately 3:35 p.m. and “came right away . . . they were fast and efficient.”

When the lightning hit it shook Swanson’s truck and shortly after the flames were spotted at the top of the building. Other lightning could be seen for approximately a half hour.

He went back and started moving vehicles away from the burning building and with only the top of the elevator burning the vehicles near the fire were already warm. “We moved a half dozen trucks.”

The rancher’s biggest fear was that the fire would get in the silage pits. “They saved our shop and they kept the silage pits from catching on fire. A silage pit can burn forever. It doesn’t burn fast, but it burns forever.”