Can lightning set stuff on fire?

Notch has just implemented lightning. I'm now too terrified to open up my treehouse map in case a storm burns it to the ground! Is this possible?

Update

I've unanswered this question, now that fire behaves differently in 1.6.

1

4 Answers

I just watched a huge treehouse burn to the ground because of a lightning strike. Rain DOES NOT ALWAYS put out fires. Now all my wool pixel art is in danger as well. Had to revert to a backup.

Caught the last few seconds of the destruction. Mind you, this used to be a huge treehouse that spanned at least 64x64 and up to the ceiling.

4

In the preview of 1.5 that Notch showed, you can see lightning strike the ground and cause a fire.

However, as per elliya's answer, the rain doesn't always extinguish the fire.

10

yes, lightning will set things on fire here is a image of it:

note that i am using the /summon command you can use the link below:

lightning

The simple answer to your question is yes, it does. It's a bit like a flint and steel -- it will light a fire anywhere but only spread on wood and wool.