One of Boone County’s most iconic landmarks is hit by lightning.
The McBaine Burr Oak south of Columbia caught fire during the storms on Friday morning. Boone County fire crews said the fire was burning inside the tree, and they tried to get water in through the hole caused by the lightning strike.
Gale Blomenkamp with Boone County Fire tells 93.9 The Eagle only a small portion of the trunk of the tree caught fire. It is unclear whether the tree will be able to survive.
Here’s a look at the scene of the McBaine champion bur oak just a few minutes ago. pic.twitter.com/6ULCfYZoQw
— ABC 17 News (@ABC17News) October 23, 2020
The tree is estimated to be between 350 and 400 years old. It is the biggest burr oak in Missouri, and tied for the largest in the country.
(This story was last updated at 1:44 p.m. Saturday.)