There is a trainload of electrons in a strike and there will be induced voltages into nearby conductors. Earth is not a particularly good conductor. Notice the current distribution in the tree roots. Only the highest energy portion of the strike can light up the root structure as shown. Imagine the voltage drop required to do this. Further, imagine the voltage drop from one of your feet to the other if you were standing on a root at the time of strike. This voltage drop in earth is why one must bond ground rods together. Otherwise, a ground rod on one side of the house can be at a significantly different potential from a rod driven at the other side of the house.

If there is copper in that conduit, it is vulnerable to induced voltages. A copper run will act like a large induced voltage antenna. Also, a direct or nearby strike at the gate can result in transients blasting back to the house.