Thousands of people prepared to leave the Burning Man festival site en masse today, Monday, as the event came to a close amid muddy conditions in the Nevada desert instead of gathering around the namesake burning effigy. Rain that fell earlier this week turned the previously crowded festival area into muddy terrain. Authorities reported on Sunday that one person died at the festival held in the Black Rock Desert, without providing further details, noting that an investigation is ongoing.
Festival organizers stated online that they expected to officially allow vehicles to leave at noon today local time, but some attendees told Reuters that several vehicles had already left before dawn, with many struggling to navigate the muddy slopes. Photos posted online showed large vehicles sunk in mud up to their wheel rims, with some placing boards under their tires to facilitate towing.
The festival is located approximately 24 kilometers from the nearest town and 177 kilometers north of Reno, Nevada. Organizers requested that people delay their departure until tomorrow morning, Tuesday, to avoid congestion if possible. Authorities ordered around 70,000 people to remain in place and conserve food and water after they closed roads and exits, asking all vehicles not to leave.
However, National Weather Service experts mentioned today that rain had stopped. Typically, a farewell ceremony is held on the penultimate night where attendees burn a giant wooden effigy in the shape of a man and launch fireworks. This did not occur this year, but organizers indicated it might happen on Monday night.
