You would need to better define where on the EM scale you are asking about. Radio frequencies (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_frequency) can and do ionize the atmosphere but it takes a great deal of power and typically doesn’t go far from the antenna. I have seen plasmas form in atmosphere briefly during experiments.
Well, maybe just consider visable light for a moment.
Here you have lightning striking, several antennae on building tops, something of a canyon formed by the buildings.
I wonder if the lightning reflecting from the windows of the buildings in the presence of the dust could account for the light pillar?