Header: Tens of Thousands of Burning Man Festival Attendees Urged to Conserve Resources After Heavy Rainstorm Hits
In a remote area of the Nevada desert, tens of thousands of people attending the Burning Man festival have been advised to conserve food, water, and fuel following a heavy rainstorm that battered the region. Festival organizers have instructed attendees to remain in place in the Black Rock Desert and have closed the gate and airport into Black Rock City, preventing any driving in or out of the city except for emergency vehicles, according to a statement on Twitter.
“Do not travel to Black Rock City! Access to the city is closed for the remainder of the event, and you will be turned around,” warned one statement. The festival organizers are anticipating more showers overnight on Saturday, with rain and thunderstorms expected to return early Sunday morning and continue through the afternoon as a low-pressure system moves across the area.
Burning Man is an annual event that takes place in Black Rock City, a temporary metropolis erected specifically for the festival. The festival, which began in 1986, is renowned for its concluding event in which a large wooden symbol of a man is set on fire. It attracts tens of thousands of participants each year, including celebrities such as Sean “Diddy” Combs and Katy Perry.
More than 60,000 people typically travel to and from Black Rock City along a two-lane highway to attend the festival. However, the event was canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants at Burning Man dedicate their time to creating art and building a sense of community. Activities range from learning fire-spinning and pole dancing to making shrink art jewelry and constructing large sculptures to be burned.
This year’s Burning Man preparations were already impacted by tropical storm Hilary in August, which brought high winds, rainfall, and flooding to the desert. Now, attendees are facing additional challenges due to the recent heavy rainstorm. As a result, festival-goers are being urged to conserve vital resources until conditions improve.
The Burning Man festival is known for its unique and creative atmosphere, bringing together individuals from all walks of life in a temporary desert city. However, with the current weather conditions and limited access to essential supplies, attendees must adapt and prioritize sustainability until the situation improves.
Original Story at www.cnn.com – 2023-09-02 19:38:00