Stranded by relentless rain and muddy terrain, Burning Man attendees eagerly await the possibility of departure as clear skies offer a glimmer of hope in the Black Rock Desert
Organizers of the Burning Man festival have said that the emergence of clear skies in northwestern Nevada on Monday could finally facilitate the departure of tens of thousands of people who have been marooned at the festival for several days. Heavy rainfall had inundated the festival's isolated desert site, leading to the people stranding at the site.
According to officials who posted on a social media account associated with the festival, the delays were attributed to the muddy terrain and the challenges in transporting bulky fire safety equipment to the site of the fire. Originally planned for Saturday night, the burn was rescheduled twice, first to Sunday and then to Monday night.
The National Weather Service has forecasted that the weather in the region should become drier and warmer on Monday. However, there is a possibility of light rain showers on Monday night into Tuesday morning due to a low-pressure system moving in.
On Sunday, event organizers reported that heavy rainfall had rendered the primary access road to and from the festival location unpassable. This event takes place within Black Rock City, an ephemeral community that is organized annually amidst the vast expanse of the Black Rock Desert in northwestern Nevada. In response to this situation, alternative routes have been established, and there is anticipation that officials will make an announcement at 9 a.m. local time on Monday regarding the potential departure permissions for festival attendees.
On Sunday evening, the atmosphere in Black Rock City took on a calmer and more tranquil tone compared to the bustling Saturday when participants were advised to stay put and ration their supplies. Several of the vibrant dance floors and bars had been disassembled during the dry spell on Sunday afternoon. As night fell, the attendees, affectionately known as "burners," navigated the still-moist grounds. Many of them had donned plastic bags over their shoes to shield them from the thick, oatmeal-like mud.
Each year, over 70,000 people gather in the impromptu settlement, located a three-hour drive from the closest airport in Reno, which is over 100 miles away. This year's festivities commenced on August 27th.
The festival grounds witnessed relentless rain from Friday onwards, leading to hazardous and mucky conditions for anyone trying to depart. Additionally, various regions in Nevada were struck by quickly advancing thunderstorms and sudden flash floods throughout the weekend. Substantial flooding incidents were also documented along the Las Vegas Strip.