Burning Man Lifts Lockdown, Says ‘Exodus’ From Muddy Place Is Underway

Organizers on Monday lifted the virtual lockdown of the annual Burning Man festival, allowing the annual “exodus” of attendees to begin after a weekend of rain and mud isolated the Nevada desert venue.

Monday is traditionally the day most people leave for a week-long celebration of counter-cultural music and arts, but this year the green light for departure has unleashed a crowded place of impassable roads, muddy tents and a hike of more than 8 km to get out after heavy rains. .

Sergeant. Nathan Carmichael of the Pershing County Sheriff’s Office said he doesn’t think a significant number of patrons will stay for the usual effigy-burning wrap-up ceremony, given their isolation in the rain and mud over a weekend of what was supposed to be a big party.

“There’s a very large line of people trying to leave right now,” he said.

One death was reported by authorities on Saturday, but on Monday the person’s identity and cause of death were not available.

Organizers said Monday that around 64,000 people remained at the scene.

The 3,900-acre event on a former dry lake bed that is part of the federally protected Black Rock Wilderness near the town of Gerlach has rarely faced such a challenge, and organizers urged customers to save food and water and wait for the mud to dry.

On Monday, organizers said the ban on exiting vehicles had been lifted, so motorhomes could get out, but they said anyone trying to walk away would have to get a ride and they had people to help them.

They said the annual 40ft man effigy burning, which usually takes place on the last Saturday of the event, will take place Monday evening around 9pm.

They also said some attendees may want to watch the show and stay overnight to ease the crowds that may form as people try to leave on Monday.