<p>Picture this: an arid, otherworldly desert festival, usually the canvas for art installations, radical self-expression, and epic parties. That's the Black Rock Desert in Pershing County, Nevada, the hallowed ground where 'Burning Man' unfolds every year. But in 2023, Mother Nature decided to pull off the ultimate desert prank. She threw a surprise monsoon party in the middle of the fest, turning Burning Man into a muddy mess to remember for the ages.</p>

<h2><strong>The theme: Animalia</strong></h2>

<p>Burning Man is never your typical festival. Each year, a theme guides the event, adding layers and layers of creativity to the mix. It is a week-long counterculture gathering held in the Black Rock Desert in Pershing County, Nevada. Where tens of thousands of attendees, known as "Burners," gather to celebrate radical self-expression, art, music, and community that ends in the actual burning of a wooden human structure, the centrepiece of the event from which the name Burning Man was derived. The event is a testament to self-sufficiency, where attendees must bring their own food, water, and supplies for a week of what can only be described as organised chaos.</p>

<p>In 2023, the theme was Animalia, an ode to the animal kingdom and humanity's place within it. Attendees were gearing up for a week of animal-inspired art, costumes, and performances. Unbeknownst to them, the genuine surprise in store was the unbridled power of the natural world in all its glory.</p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-about-64000-people-stay-back-to-witness-the-burning-man-event-632470/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<h2>Hurricane Hilary's surprise visit</h2>

<p>It all began with an unwelcome guest named Hurricane Hilary. Days before the festival, the skies over Nevada turned ominous, and the National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning. Normally, this kind of weather would be about as likely as finding a unicorn on the Playa, but 2023 had different plans.</p>

<p>On September 1, heavy rainfall descended upon the desert, turning the parched ground into mud and slush. Six inches of rain in a day might not sound like much to coastal dwellers, but for the Black Rock Desert, it was the equivalent of a biblical deluge. Attendees watched in awe as their desert utopia transformed into a surreal mudscape.</p>

<p>I'd wager the attendees never expected they would be starring in their very own<em> Mad Max </em>movie. Hurricane Hilary, like a war rig on a collision course with their desert dreams, brought forth a torrential downpour that would have made Immortan Joe himself reconsider his water-hoarding ways.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pics-70000-burning-man-revelers-stuck-in-in-nevada-desert-after-rainstorm-and-mud-632054">In pics | 70,000 Burning Man revelers stuck in Nevada desert after rainstorm and mud</a></strong></p>

<h2>The exodus begins</h2>

<p>With the desert turning into quicksand underfoot, Burning Man organisers had to act fast. The front entrance was closed, and Burners were told to shelter in place. But when you're stranded in the middle of nowhere with a limited supply of food, water, and fuel, "sheltering" becomes a euphemism for "surviving."</p>

<p>However, authorities had a different message. While organisers stated that the gates to Black Rock City were closed, law enforcement said that participants were free to leave. The Bureau of Land Management even urged attendees heading to the event to turn around. Easier said than done when you're knee-deep in Playa mud.</p>

<h2>Mud sculptures and barefoot Burners</h2>

<p>As Burners found themselves trapped in their desert playground, creativity blossomed amid the muck. Mud sculptures sprung up like modern-day fossils, and Burners donned plastic bags on their feet in an attempt to navigate the soupy terrain. After all, if you can't have a dance party, you might as well have a mud-wrestling match, right?</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/burning-man-mass-exodus-begins-after-organisers-lift-driving-ban-632408">Burning Man: Mass exodus begins after organisers lift driving ban</a></strong></p>

<h2>Burning Man's delayed burn</h2>

<p>One of the most anticipated moments at Burning Man is the burning of the iconic wooden effigy known as "The Man." But this year, even The Man couldn't escape the wrath of Mother Nature. Due to the treacherous conditions, the burning of The Man was delayed, leaving attendees wondering if it would happen at all.</p>

<p>Also Read:&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-explained-the-implications-of-sag-aftra-strike-and-what-lies-ahead-615092">Explained | The implications of Hollywood actors' strike and what lies ahead</a></strong></p>

<h2>A tragic loss</h2>

<p>Amid the chaos and the mud, tragedy struck. One Burner, 32-year-old Leon Reece, lost his life. The Pershing County sheriff's office received a call about an unresponsive man on the ground at Black Rock City. Due to the heavy rain and muddy conditions, access to the area was delayed. By the time deputies arrived, Reece was pronounced dead by the festival doctor.</p>

<p>An investigation was conducted, but no immediate cause of death was determined. It was a stark reminder that even in the midst of a wild desert party, life's fragility is never far from our minds.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-explained--controversy-around-friends-a-classic-sitcom-or-a-relic-of-a-less-diverse-era-577770">Explained | Controversy around Friends: A classic sitcom or a relic of a less diverse era?</a></strong></p>

<h2>Conspiracy theories and misinformation</h2>

<p>As the news of Burning Man's unexpected metamorphosis spread, so did the conspiracy theories. X, formerly Twitter, became a breeding ground for altered headlines and fictitious tweets, including claims of an Ebola outbreak. Even the infamous conspiracy theorist Alex Jones jumped on the bandwagon, with US representative Marjorie Taylor Greene suggesting the weather was an "act of God" linked to a supposed "mock sacrifice" and liberal brainwashing.</p>

<h2>The fallout and criticism</h2>

<p>As the mud-drenched exodus began, Burners and the world at large began to assess the fallout. Some attendees remained defiant, embracing the chaos as part of the Burning Man experience. Others couldn't help but draw parallels to the infamous Fyre Festival, which also experienced its own share of rain-soaked calamities.</p>

<p>Adam Clark Estes, writing for Vox, criticised Burning Man 2023 for its environmental impact, highlighting the irony of an event themed around celebrating the animal kingdom while causing harm to the environment.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, President Joe Biden was reportedly briefed on the weather conditions at the festival, underscoring the magnitude of the event's unexpected turn of events.</p>

<p>By Monday, pictures emerged of people leaving the venue in an exodus of vehicles and human convoy, in scenes very similar to, again,&nbsp;<em>Mad Max.</em> The irony though, is that it looked now more like <em>Water World </em>than <em>Mad Max</em> in the desert.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>

<p>You can <strong>now write for wionews.com</strong> and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.</strong></p>


Picture this: an arid, otherworldly desert festival, usually the canvas for art installations, radical self-expression, and epic parties. That's the Black Rock Desert in Pershing County, Nevada, the hallowed ground where 'Burning Man' unfolds every year.

Picture this: an arid, otherworldly desert festival, usually the canvas for art installations, radical self-expression, and epic parties. That's the Black Rock Desert in Pershing County, Nevada, the hallowed ground where 'Burning Man' unfolds every year. But in 2023, Mother Nature decided to pull off the ultimate desert prank. She threw a surprise monsoon party in the middle of the fest, turning Burning Man into a muddy mess to remember for the ages. The theme: Animalia Burning Man is never your typical festival. Each year, a theme guides the event, adding layers and layers of creativity to the mix. It is a week-long counterculture gathering held in the Black Rock Desert in Pershing County, Nevada. Where tens of thousands of attendees, known as "Burners," gather to celebrate radical self-expression, art, music, and community that ends in the actual burning of a wooden human structure, the centrepiece of the event from which the name Burning Man was derived. The event is a testament to self-sufficiency, where attendees must bring their own food, water, and supplies for a week of what can only be described as organised chaos. In 2023, the theme was Animalia, an ode to the animal kingdom and humanity's place within it. Attendees were gearing up for a week of animal-inspired art, costumes, and performances. Unbeknownst to them, the genuine surprise in store was the unbridled power of the natural world in all its glory. Hurricane Hilary's surprise visit It all began with an unwelcome guest named Hurricane Hilary. Days before the festival, the skies over Nevada turned ominous, and the National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning. Normally, this kind of weather would be about as likely as finding a unicorn on the Playa, but 2023 had different plans. On September 1, heavy rainfall descended upon the desert, turning the parched ground into mud and slush. Six inches of rain in a day might not sound like much to coastal dwellers, but for the Black Rock Desert, it was the equivalent of a biblical deluge. Attendees watched in awe as their desert utopia transformed into a surreal mudscape. I'd wager the attendees never expected they would be starring in their very own Mad Max movie. Hurricane Hilary, like a war rig on a collision course with their desert dreams, brought forth a torrential downpour that would have made Immortan Joe himself reconsider his water-hoarding ways. Also Read | In pics | 70,000 Burning Man revelers stuck in Nevada desert after rainstorm and mud The exodus begins With the desert turning into quicksand underfoot, Burning Man organisers had to act fast. The front entrance was closed, and Burners were told to shelter in place. But when you're stranded in the middle of nowhere with a limited supply of food, water, and fuel, "sheltering" becomes a euphemism for "surviving." However, authorities had a different message. While organisers stated that the gates to Black Rock City were closed, law enforcement said that participants were free to leave. The Bureau of Land Management even urged attendees heading to the event to turn around. Easier said than done when you're knee-deep in Playa mud. Mud sculptures and barefoot Burners As Burners found themselves trapped in their desert playground, creativity blossomed amid the muck. Mud sculptures sprung up like modern-day fossils, and Burners donned plastic bags on their feet in an attempt to navigate the soupy terrain. After all, if you can't have a dance party, you might as well have a mud-wrestling match, right? Also Read | Burning Man: Mass exodus begins after organisers lift driving ban Burning Man's delayed burn One of the most anticipated moments at Burning Man is the burning of the iconic wooden effigy known as "The Man." But this year, even The Man couldn't escape the wrath of Mother Nature. Due to the treacherous conditions, the burning of The Man was delayed, leaving attendees wondering if it would happen at all. Also Read: Explained | The implications of Hollywood actors' strike and what lies ahead A tragic loss Amid the chaos and the mud, tragedy struck. One Burner, 32-year-old Leon Reece, lost his life. The Pershing County sheriff's office received a call about an unresponsive man on the ground at Black Rock City. Due to the heavy rain and muddy conditions, access to the area was delayed. By the time deputies arrived, Reece was pronounced dead by the festival doctor. An investigation was conducted, but no immediate cause of death was determined. It was a stark reminder that even in the midst of a wild desert party, life's fragility is never far from our minds. Also Read | Explained | Controversy around Friends: A classic sitcom or a relic of a less diverse era? Conspiracy theories and misinformation As the news of Burning Man's unexpected metamorphosis spread, so did the conspiracy theories. X, formerly Twitter, became a breeding ground for altered headlines and fictitious tweets, including claims of an Ebola outbreak. Even the infamous conspiracy theorist Alex Jones jumped on the bandwagon, with US representative Marjorie Taylor Greene suggesting the weather was an "act of God" linked to a supposed "mock sacrifice" and liberal brainwashing. The fallout and criticism As the mud-drenched exodus began, Burners and the world at large began to assess the fallout. Some attendees remained defiant, embracing the chaos as part of the Burning Man experience. Others couldn't help but draw parallels to the infamous Fyre Festival, which also experienced its own share of rain-soaked calamities. Adam Clark Estes, writing for Vox, criticised Burning Man 2023 for its environmental impact, highlighting the irony of an event themed around celebrating the animal kingdom while causing harm to the environment. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden was reportedly briefed on the weather conditions at the festival, underscoring the magnitude of the event's unexpected turn of events. By Monday, pictures emerged of people leaving the venue in an exodus of vehicles and human convoy, in scenes very similar to, again, Mad Max. The irony though, is that it looked now more like Water World than Mad Max in the desert. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Burning Man 2023: How US desert fest turned into a slushy nightmare, with some help from nature

In pics | 70,000 Burning Man revelers stuck in Nevada desert after rainstorm and mud

<p>As thousands of attendees were ordered to take shelter amid muddy conditions and heavy rain during the Burning Man festival in Nevada desert, police launched investigation into a death. The Sheriff's Office in Pershing County said late on Saturday (September 2) that it was looking into "a death which occurred during this rain event" as per a statement cited in US media.</p>

<p>There were no immediate public details about the person's identity or circumstances of the death.</p>

<p>"As this death is still under investigation, there is no further information available at this time," news outlet NBC quoted the statement as saying.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Burning Man festival-goers trapped in desert as rain turns site to mud</strong></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/burning-man-festival-goers-trapped-in-desert-as-rain-turns-site-to-mud-631907/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>Earlier on Saturday, the Bureau of Land Management and Pershing County Sheriff's Office were forced to close entrance to the Burning Man after heavy rainfall.</p>

<p>"Do not travel to Black Rock City!," Burning Man organisers tweeted, referring to the desert area where the alternative culture festival takes place.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Access to the city is closed for the remainder of the event, and you will be turned away."&nbsp;</p>

<p>The organisers urged those already at the site to "conserve food, water and fuel, and shelter in a warm, safe space."&nbsp;</p>

<p>They said that it was unlikely that the rain would stop until Sunday night. The Burning Man festival was scheduled to conclude on Monday.</p>

<p>Due to heavy rains, the "playa," or the huge open-air esplanade where the festival unfolds was inaccessible.</p>

<p>The organisers said on the website that only four-wheel drive vehicles which had all-terrain tires were able to move.</p>

<p>"Anything less than that will get stuck. It will hamper Exodus if we have cars stuck on roads in our camping areas, or on the Gate Road out of the city," they said on a "2023 Wet Playa Survival Guide" page.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Organisers said that if necessary, it was possible to walk five miles (eight kilometres) through the mud to reach the nearest road where they would provide buses during daylight hours for people to go to Reno.</p>

<p>In order to facilitate access to communication networks, the organisers said they were deploying mobile cellphone towers and opening the site's wifi for public.</p>

<p>"We have done table-top drills for events like this. We are engaged full-time on all aspects of safety and looking ahead to our Exodus as our next priority," they said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It was forecast that it would rain more on Saturday night and early Sunday.</p>

<p>Just last year, the 'burners,' as the festivalgoers are known, were inconvenienced due to intense heat wave amid strong winds.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><em>You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form"><strong>here</strong></a>.</em></p>

<p><strong><em>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</em></strong></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


As thousands of attendees were ordered to take shelter amid muddy conditions and heavy rain during the Burning Man festival in Nevada desert, police launched investigation into a death.

As thousands of attendees were ordered to take shelter amid muddy conditions and heavy rain during the Burning Man festival in Nevada desert, police launched investigation into a death. The Sheriff's Office in Pershing County said late on Saturday (September 2) that it was looking into "a death which occurred during this rain event" as per a statement cited in US media. There were no immediate public details about the person's identity or circumstances of the death. "As this death is still under investigation, there is no further information available at this time," news outlet NBC quoted the statement as saying. Watch | Burning Man festival-goers trapped in desert as rain turns site to mud × Earlier on Saturday, the Bureau of Land Management and Pershing County Sheriff's Office were forced to close entrance to the Burning Man after heavy rainfall. "Do not travel to Black Rock City!," Burning Man organisers tweeted, referring to the desert area where the alternative culture festival takes place. "Access to the city is closed for the remainder of the event, and you will be turned away." The organisers urged those already at the site to "conserve food, water and fuel, and shelter in a warm, safe space." They said that it was unlikely that the rain would stop until Sunday night. The Burning Man festival was scheduled to conclude on Monday. Due to heavy rains, the "playa," or the huge open-air esplanade where the festival unfolds was inaccessible. The organisers said on the website that only four-wheel drive vehicles which had all-terrain tires were able to move. "Anything less than that will get stuck. It will hamper Exodus if we have cars stuck on roads in our camping areas, or on the Gate Road out of the city," they said on a "2023 Wet Playa Survival Guide" page. Organisers said that if necessary, it was possible to walk five miles (eight kilometres) through the mud to reach the nearest road where they would provide buses during daylight hours for people to go to Reno. In order to facilitate access to communication networks, the organisers said they were deploying mobile cellphone towers and opening the site's wifi for public. "We have done table-top drills for events like this. We are engaged full-time on all aspects of safety and looking ahead to our Exodus as our next priority," they said. It was forecast that it would rain more on Saturday night and early Sunday. Just last year, the 'burners,' as the festivalgoers are known, were inconvenienced due to intense heat wave amid strong winds. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Heavy rains make 'Burning Man' site muddy, police investigate one death

<p>Burning Man festival, a nine-day music and culture festival in Nevada, United States, came to an end on Monday. The event that happened after three years because of COVID-19 saw high revelry and fun. But its end spelled woes for everyone going back home. Apparently, those leaving from the venue in the Black Rock desert were stuck in an eight-hour-long traffic jam.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Pictures of the traffic congestion are going viral and show 15 lanes of bumper to bumper traffic for miles. The Burning Man's official Twitter account asked people to postpone their return in view of the massive traffic snarl.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Exodus wait time is currently around 8 hours. Consider delaying your departure until conditions improve. If you must leave now, drive on L Street to prevent traffic jams. Drive slowly, watch for road debris, follow directions from Gate staff, and listen to BMIR 94.5FM.</p>
— Burning Man Project (@burningman) <a href="https://twitter.com/burningman/status/1566838627824312321?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 5, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>This traffic that happens when people are exiting the festival is known as the "burners" and is a common occurrence. However, this year the problems seemed worse, especially because of the ongoing heatwave and the gas crisis.</p>

<p>Over 80,000 people attended the Burning Man festival, held ahead of the Labour Day. The festival closed with the burning of an effigy, called the Burning Man, a tradition being followed since its inauguration in 1989.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>


Burning Man festival, a nine-day music and culture festival in Nevada, United States, came to an end on Monday. The event that happened after three years because of COVID-19 saw high revelry and fun.

Burning Man festival, a nine-day music and culture festival in Nevada, United States, came to an end on Monday. The event that happened after three years because of COVID-19 saw high revelry and fun. But its end spelled woes for everyone going back home. Apparently, those leaving from the venue in the Black Rock desert were stuck in an eight-hour-long traffic jam. Pictures of the traffic congestion are going viral and show 15 lanes of bumper to bumper traffic for miles. The Burning Man's official Twitter account asked people to postpone their return in view of the massive traffic snarl. Exodus wait time is currently around 8 hours. Consider delaying your departure until conditions improve. If you must leave now, drive on L Street to prevent traffic jams. Drive slowly, watch for road debris, follow directions from Gate staff, and listen to BMIR 94.5FM. — Burning Man Project (@burningman) September 5, 2022 × This traffic that happens when people are exiting the festival is known as the "burners" and is a common occurrence. However, this year the problems seemed worse, especially because of the ongoing heatwave and the gas crisis. Over 80,000 people attended the Burning Man festival, held ahead of the Labour Day. The festival closed with the burning of an effigy, called the Burning Man, a tradition being followed since its inauguration in 1989. (With inputs from agencies)

'Burning Man' revelers get stuck in eight-hour-long traffic jam after festival ends

<p>A man lost his life after running into a massive fire at the Burning Man festival.</p>

<p>A giant, wooden effigy is set ablaze at the event.&nbsp;</p>

<p>41-year-old Aaron Joel Mitchell, the deceased, broke through a two-later security perimeter to enter into the flames.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Roughly 50,000 people were attending the festival when the firefighting crew pulled out Mitchell from the fire. He was airlifted to UC Davis hospital burn center in California, where he died on Sunday morning.<br />
<br />
Reports confirm that Mitchell was not under the influence of alcohol.</p>

<p>Mitchell, a US citizen, was living in Switzerland with his wife.</p>

<p>Event&nbsp;organisers cancelled the afternoon ceremonies but would go ahead with the 8 pm temple burn, another trademark event that concludes the nine-day festival. This year, the art and music festival in the Black Rock Desert, approximately 161 kilometers north of Reno, saw 70,000 attendees.</p>

<p>Organizers are also counseling and emotional support on site, saying in a statement: &quot;Now is a time for closeness, contact, and community. Trauma needs processing. Promote calls, hugs, self-care, check-ins, and sleep.&quot;</p>


Mitchell crossed two levels of security personnel guarding the area where the 'Man' was burning on Saturday night

A man lost his life after running into a massive fire at the Burning Man festival. A giant, wooden effigy is set ablaze at the event. 41-year-old Aaron Joel Mitchell, the deceased, broke through a two-later security perimeter to enter into the flames. Roughly 50,000 people were attending the festival when the firefighting crew pulled out Mitchell from the fire. He was airlifted to UC Davis hospital burn center in California, where he died on Sunday morning. Reports confirm that Mitchell was not under the influence of alcohol. Mitchell, a US citizen, was living in Switzerland with his wife. Event organisers cancelled the afternoon ceremonies but would go ahead with the 8 pm temple burn, another trademark event that concludes the nine-day festival. This year, the art and music festival in the Black Rock Desert, approximately 161 kilometers north of Reno, saw 70,000 attendees. Organizers are also counseling and emotional support on site, saying in a statement: "Now is a time for closeness, contact, and community. Trauma needs processing. Promote calls, hugs, self-care, check-ins, and sleep."

Man dies after running into flames at the fire festival in US