WEATHER

Burning Man organizers lift driving ban after rain left event in mud

Sep 4, 2023, 8:00 PM | Updated: Sep 5, 2023, 11:05 pm

People walk off the playa out near the Burning Man site on the Black Rock Desert in northern Nevada...

People walk off the playa out near the Burning Man site on the Black Rock Desert in northern Nevada on Sunday. Photo credit: Jason Bean/RGJ/USA TODAY/Reuters

(CNN) — Hundreds of trucks, RVs and other vehicles are journeying out of the Burning Man festival grounds after heavy rains trapped tens of thousands of people in the makeshift city and surrounded them with ankle-deep mud too thick to drive in.

Event organizers officially lifted a driving ban Monday afternoon and said “exodus operations have officially begun in Black Rock City,” the city that’s erected annually for the event.

But even before that ban was officially lifted, thousands had already started the trek back home. Drone footage shot by CNN Monday morning showed hundreds of large vehicles lined up and making their way out.

Late Sunday evening, event organizers said there were 72,000 people on site and by midday Monday, roughly 64,000 people remained.

In a 2 p.m. update lifting the driving ban, event organizers said while conditions were improving and roads were drying, the site remained “muddy and may be difficult to navigate in some neighborhoods and down certain streets.”

“Take it slow and mind those directing traffic,” the update said. “Please be patient as you exit through Gate Road, and respect Burning Man staff who are working hard to make the Exodus experience as smooth and safe as possible.”

They also urged attendees to consider delaying their departure from the makeshift city to Tuesday to help prevent “large amounts of congestion.”

On Monday evening, it was taking vehicles roughly five hours and 30 minutes to leave the site, organizers said.

Roads leading in and out of Black Rock City were closed starting Friday night, and event organizers imposed shelter-in-place orders the following day. Attendees were told to conserve food, water and fuel after the deluge made it virtually impossible for vehicles to drive on the surface.

The remote area in northwest Nevada was hit with two to three months’ worth of rain – up to 0.8 inches – in just 24 hours between Friday and Saturday morning.

Sunny and dry conditions over western Nevada on Monday will allow “significant improvement to the muddy conditions at the Burning Man festival,” CNN meteorologist Dave Hennen said. Temperatures were expected to hit a high of 75 degrees in the area.

The burning of the man – the huge totem set on fire at the festival’s culmination – was rescheduled from Sunday night to Monday because of the poor weather, organizers said Sunday evening.

One attendee weighs when to leave

Festivalgoers – accustomed to braving the Nevada desert’s extreme heat – instead contended with rain and mud over the weekend, rationing supplies and dealing with connectivity issues.

While some saw the heavy rain as a challenge that brought the camp communities closer, others worried about being able to get out in time to catch flights and return to other responsibilities.

When the mud trapped many at the site, attendees began offering food and shelter to those who needed it, festivalgoer Gillian Bergeron told CNN on Sunday.

“Most of the folks out there that go out somewhat regularly, they certainly made the best of it,” Bergeron said. “If anything, I think it probably made the core community stronger.”

Kaz Qamruddin, who attended the event, told CNN’s Brianna Keilar on Monday afternoon his camp was well organized, included both RVs and tents, and people helped each other during the heavy rain.

“As soon as the tents started getting water-logged or unlivable, people in RVs started taking in some of the tenters, so everybody was warm,” he said. Additionally, they cleared out some semi-trucks and shipping containers and people slept in there as well.

“We are a community that comes together in hard times,” he added.

Qamruddin said he decided to follow organizers’ instructions over the weekend and stay put, but other attendees panicked and decided to leave while the roads were still muddy and wet.

Some of those people got stuck and created heavier traffic for others, Qamruddin said.

He plans to leave after the burning of the man or Tuesday morning, he said.

“The problem is that this Monday is the mass exodus, so this is when the traffic will be the heaviest,” Qamruddin said. “So I’m going to wait and hopefully just be in line for a couple of hours before I head to Reno.”

Diplo and Chris Rock trudge, then hitchhike

Over the weekend, some elected to leave the site earlier than organizers recommended by plodding through the thick mud, but “most of the RVs” remained stuck in place, Pershing County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Nathan Carmichael said Sunday.

“Each step felt like we were walking with two big cinder blocks on our feet,” said Amar Singh Duggal, who managed to leave the festival with his friends after hiking about 2 miles in the mud.

Among those who trekked through the sludge was DJ Diplo, who spent hours hiking in the mud to try to get to his concert hours later in Washington, DC.

“I have some pretty strong leg muscles after that walk,” Diplo told CNN Monday morning. He credited duct tape and good boots that “were like three pounds each at one point” for helping him walk miles.

Then a fan offered Diplo – whose real name is Thomas Wesley Pentz – and comedian Chris Rock a ride.

“Some kid recognized me on the road and said, ‘Hey, I’ll give you a ride for the next two miles.’ And of course, we gladly took it.” Diplo said. He said he’s thanking the “awesome” young man with admission to shows.

A death at the festival is being investigated

death at the festival on Friday was “unrelated to the weather,” Burning Man organizers said Sunday night.

“Our emergency services department reached a call for service extremely quickly for a male, approximately 40 years old, and could not resuscitate the patient,” organizers said, without giving further details.

The Pershing County Sheriff’s Office said it is investigating the death.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Weather

Kaysville City officials confirmed that the Weber Basin Water Conservancy District had added water ...

Heather Peterson

Chlorine smell and taste plaguing Weber Basin water supply

Two weekends ago, the rain that hit the frozen Wasatch Back brought naturally-occurring organic materials into the Weber Basin Watershed.

1 hour ago

A screenshot from the Utah Avalanche Center website shows the approximate location of the Monte Cri...

Mariah Maynes

Monte Cristo Avalanche report details slide that killed one

A report published by Utah Avalanche Center revealed the details of the Monte Cristo avalanche, which killed one snowmobiler on Feb. 3.

10 hours ago

Downtown Salt Lake City is pictured from the Avenues on Dec. 27, 2024. Astra Tower, seen here lit i...

Carter Williams, KSL.com

Salt Lake City is about to get another weather beacon. Here’s what this one will forecast

Astra Tower, about a block east of the Walker Center, will feature an air quality forecast lighting system, according to the Utah Clean Air Partnership.

1 day ago

Image of an avalanche that broke on Silver Fork in Big Cottonwood Canyon on Feb. 8, 2025 One man su...

Mariah Maynes and Simone Seikaly

Victim of Silver Fork avalanche identified

Utah Avalanche Center asked backcountry users to stay out of the East Bowl after Saturday's Silver Fork avalanche.

2 days ago

Salt Lake County Search and Rescue responds to an avalanche fatality in Big Cottonwood Canyon on Sa...

Becky Bruce

Avalanche danger to remain “considerable” across Utah, forecaster says

Forecasters expect "considerable" avalanche danger for at least a couple more days, after an active weekend for slides.

2 days ago

FILE - A snowplow in Little Cottonwood Canyon as the storm hits the road. 7 separate accidents caus...

Jacob Freeman

7 separate accidents cause delays on I-15 in Lehi

LEHI — Drivers were experiencing delays Saturday evening after seven separate accidents were reported on Interstate 15 in Lehi. Utah Highway Patrol Public Information Officer Andy Battenfield said the delays started at approximately 7:30 p.m., and said all of the accidents were weather-related. He said no injuries had been reported, and snowplows were on their […]

3 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Full speed through the snow. A man on skis is pulled by his through the snow at full gallop Skijori...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Get ready for an unforgettable skijoring adventure in Bear Lake!

“Skijoring the Bear” takes place this year on February 21-22 in Garden City, Utah.

the bedroom in a geodesic dome shows the night sky...

Clear Sky Resorts Bryce Canyon

Your front row to an extraordinary cosmos show

As America's first glass dome stargazing resort, Clear Sky Resorts Bryce Canyon is one of the world’s most unique and spectacular places to stay.

2 people huddled up in a blanket and warm clothes sipping hot chocolate...

Bear Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau

The best ways to spend your Christmas vacation in Bear Lake

If you're dreaming of a white Christmas this year, Bear Lake should definitely be on your radar. Read this guide for more!

big crowd of people under holiday lights in an outdoor market...

Western Nut

Our favorite family Christmas activities in Utah

We gathered up a list of our favorite activities, movies, and treats to try this holiday season that the whole family can enjoy.

an IT tech looks at a laptop in front of a server network...

Comcast Business

Tips to protect yourself from phishing attacks

Check out this resource from Comcast Business to learn more about phishing attacks and how to protect yourself from becoming a victim of one.

A surprise gift, wrapped and ready to bring holiday cheer! Whether for Christmas, a birthday, or an...

Western Nut

10 Holiday Gift Ideas to cover everyone on your list

This guide is for you if you need holiday gift ideas that will make a lasting impression. 

Burning Man organizers lift driving ban after rain left event in mud