Thousands of people stranded at the Burning Man festival in northwestern Nevada due to heavy rain may finally be able to leave as the skies clear. Organizers of the festival announced that the improved forecast would also allow for the burning of the festival’s iconic effigy, which had been postponed twice due to the weather.
The delays in burning the effigy were not only caused by the rain but also by the muddy conditions and the inability to move heavy equipment to the burning site. However, with the drier and warmer weather expected on Monday, it was hoped that the burning could proceed as planned.
The festival, known for its celebration of art, music, and counterculture, had been hit with torrential rain, making the main road to the festival site impassable. Alternative routes were created, but officials were expected to announce on Monday morning whether people would be allowed to leave.
By Sunday night, the atmosphere at the festival had become more subdued, with attendees dismantling structures and navigating the muddy site. The festival, which hosts over 70,000 people each year, is located in a temporary community called Black Rock City in the middle of the Black Rock Desert.
Authorities were also investigating the death of one participant, although it did not appear to be weather-related.
Other parts of Nevada also experienced heavy rain and flooding, including the Las Vegas Strip. Social media was flooded with videos and stories of people attempting to leave the festival, including a video from music producer Diplo, who walked miles in the mud before being picked up by fans.
Despite the challenges, some attendees took the chaos in stride, emphasizing the sense of community and self-reliance that Burning Man promotes. Mayor Hillary Schieve of Reno announced on social media that the city was working with regional partners to prepare for the mass exodus of Burning Man participants.
As the festival draws to a close, attendees reflect on the unique experience they had this year. Fausto Zapata, an attendee from Los Angeles, described it as the best Burning Man he had ever attended, citing the unexpected sense of community and radical self-reliance that arose from the challenging weather conditions.
The Burning Man festival, which began on August 27, will soon come to an end, but its impact on the participants will last far beyond its conclusion.