2023 Wet Playa Survival Guide

 

Are you in Black Rock City hunkering down and waiting out the wet playa? We will update this page regularly, including a date and timestamp.  

STATEMENT:

• This is the final update for the 2023 Burning Man event for this page. Thank you for the amazing Communal Effort and resilience everyone has shown throughout the last few days. Safe travels home! 
• Exodus operations continue smoothly in Black Rock City Wednesday, 9/6. Take it slow and mind those directing traffic. 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.
• BMIR 94.5 FM is officially off the air for 2023. 95.1 FM and @bmantraffic on X will be the sources for traffic and wait time information over the next day or so.
• As many of us return from Black Rock City, please take a moment to fill out the Black Rock City 2023 Census. The data from the BRC Census serves as an essential annual resource for understanding the demographics, behaviors, and experiences of Burners, as well as the spirit and ethos of all BRC citizens. It only takes about 15 minutes to complete!
• Do not forget the Leaving No Trace and Communal Effort principles when you are departing BRC. All participants are expected to pack out everything they brought in and clean their camp space before leaving the city. 
• Packing up camp and feeling inspired to participate in the Communal Effort of helping clean the playa? Fill out this form or head over to MOOP Map Headquarters at the corner of 5:30 and Esplanade to volunteer for the Playa Resto team. Lasting roughly one month, DPW’s Playa Restoration crew will create the 2023 MOOP Map and leave the Black Rock Desert clean, beautiful, and without a trace! 
• If you need to return to complete your teardown please contact Placement, Art, or the DMV before you return – they will provide you information on the process. If you were not affiliated with DMV, Placement, or Art, and were in open camping, please email returntobrc@burningman.org for further instructions. 
• Remember that authorized trash/recycling dump locations can be found on the back of your WhatWhereWhen Guide and at this webpage.
• Obey all traffic laws and respect our neighbors and law enforcement as you travel through Gerlach, Empire, Nixon, and Wadsworth, and the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe reservation.

• Exodus operations continue in Black Rock City Tuesday, 9/5. Take it slow and mind those directing traffic. 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.
• Listen to BMIR 94.5 FM (also on iHeartRadio) or GARS 95.1 FM and keep an eye on @bmantraffic on X for the latest information. Note that BMIR will be going off the air on Wednesday, 9/6 at 10:00am. GARS will continue to air and keep you informed of wait times at the Gate.
• As of 2:00pm Tuesday, 9/5, there are just over 36,000 people remaining at the event site.
• The Temple burn is scheduled for Tuesday 9/5, at 8pm. (This will be available via the Official Burning Man Webcast — if you are a member of the media and you would like your outlet to air the livestream, please email press@burningman.org requesting permission. Include details about when and where you would like to broadcast it, and we will reply as soon as possible.)
• Do not forget the Leaving No Trace and Communal Effort principles when you are departing BRC. All participants are expected to pack out everything they brought in and clean their camp space before leaving the city. 
• If you need to return to complete your teardown please contact Placement, Art, or the DMV before you return — they will provide you information on the process. If you were not affiliated with DMV, Placement, or Art, and were in open camping, please email returntobrc@burningman.org for further instructions. 
• Remember that authorized trash/recycling dump locations can be found on the back of your WhatWhereWhen Guide and at this webpage.
• Obey all traffic laws and respect our neighbors and law enforcement as you travel through Gerlach, Empire, Nixon, and Wadsworth, and the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe reservation.
• The last Burner Express Bus trips and Burner Express Air flights for 2023 were Tuesday morning, 9/5. Both BxB and BxA operations have stopped for the year. 
• If you need to get your vehicle towed, go to Playa Info at Center Camp and 1:00 to fill out the tow request form, and you will be helped. This process will be in place through the end of the day Wednesday 9/6, with possible extension to Thursday 9/7. You may also call Cal Nevada Towing on their publicly listed dispatch number.
• The Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) remains ready to welcome Burners as they travel out of Reno. Please note that the airport does not have the space or facilities for travelers needing a place to stay for long periods of time while plans are sorted out. Please contact your airline before arriving at the airport, and make sure you have a boarding pass. Safe travels!

• As of 2:00pm, Exodus operations have officially begun in Black Rock City. The driving ban has been lifted. Please know that while conditions are improving and roads are drying, the playa is still muddy and may be difficult to navigate in some neighborhoods and down certain streets. Avoid the 5:30 radial street, stay on hard-packed roads and out of standing water. 
• Take it slow and mind those directing traffic 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.
• Listen to BMIR 94.5 FM (also on iHeartRadio) or GARS 95.1 FM and keep an eye on @bmantraffic on X for the latest information.
• As of midday Monday 9/4, approximately 64,000 people remain on site.
• Please do not walk out of Black Rock City to County Road 34 at this time. If you need a ride out of BRC, please walk to the Greeters station past 6 o’clock and K street. You stand the best chance of catching a ride out of the city from that central location, though a ride is not guaranteed.
• Consider delaying your departure from Black Rock City until Tuesday 9/5. This will alleviate large amounts of congestion throughout the day today, Monday 9/4.  
• The Man burn will happen tonight, Monday 9/4, at 9pm. The Chapel of Babel is scheduled to burn later tonight at midnight (technically Tuesday 9/5). The Temple burn is scheduled for Tuesday 9/5, at 8pm. (These Burns will be available via the Official Burning Man Webcast — if you are a member of the media and you would like your outlet to air the livestream, please email press@burningman.org requesting permission. Include details about when and where you would like to broadcast it, and we will reply as soon as possible.)
• Burner Express Bus is operating from 10am-5pm Monday, 9/4. Passengers can check in at the BxB Depot at 6:15 & J. More information can be found in an email ticketed passengers received, and WiFi has been made available at Center Camp and the 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock plazas. All riders MUST check in 90 minutes prior to a scheduled departure at the BxB Bus Depot at 6:15 & J. Please do not arrive earlier than this. 

Updated Monday, 9/4 departures to Reno:

• For ticketed 6am your new departure time is now 11am.
• For ticketed 8am your new departure time is now 12pm.
• For ticketed 10am passengers, your bus is now scheduled for 1pm.
• For ticketed 12pm passengers, your bus is now scheduled for 3pm.
• For ticketed 4pm passengers, your departure time has been pushed to 5pm.

Updated Monday, 9/4 departures to San Francisco:

• For ticketed 6am passengers, your new departure time is 11am.
• For ticketed 9am your new departure time is now 1pm.
• For ticketed 11am passengers, your new departure time is 2pm.

– The BRC Airport opened at noon, Monday 9/4. Burner Express Air (BxA) operations start at 2pm 9/4 for all valid departure BxA ticket holders. Today (9/4) all flights will go to Reno. Tomorrow (Tuesday 9/5) BxA flights will start around 6:30am and will be going to Burbank, Oakland, and Reno. A shuttle bus will run from the BRC bus depot to the airport to assist passengers.

– Do not forget the Leaving No Trace and Communal Effort principles when you are departing BRC. All participants are expected to pack out everything they brought in and clean their camp space before leaving the city. 

– Remember that authorized trash/recycling dump locations can be found on the back of your WhatWhereWhen Guide and at this webpage.

– Obey all traffic laws and respect our neighbors and law enforcement as you travel through Gerlach, Empire, Nixon, and Wadsworth, and the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe reservation.

– The Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) remains ready to welcome Burners as they travel out of Reno. Please note that the airport does not have the space or facilities for travelers needing a place to stay for long periods of time while plans are sorted out. Please contact your airline before arriving at the airport, and make sure you have a boarding pass. Safe travels!

• Gate road remains a bit too muddy and there is still too much standing water along it for large numbers of vehicles to safely navigate out of the event this morning, but it is drying up. Exodus is planned to officially begin around midday today, Monday 9/4. Expect an update again in the next few hours. Listen to BMIR 94.5 FM or GARS 95.1 FM and keep an eye on  @bmantraffic on X.
• Please do not walk out of Black Rock City to County Road 34 at this time. If you need a ride out of BRC, please walk to the Greeters station past 6 o’clock and K street. You stand the best chance of catching a ride out of the city from that central location, though a ride is not guaranteed.
• Consider delaying your departure from Black Rock City until Tuesday 9/5. This will alleviate large amounts of congestion throughout the day today, Monday 9/4. 
• Do not forget the Leave No Trace and Communal Effort principles when you are leaving BRC this year. All participants are expected to pack out everything they brought in and clean their camp space before leaving the city. 
• Remember that authorized trash/recycling dump locations can be found on the back of your WhatWhereWhen Guide and at this webpage.
• Obey all traffic laws and respect our neighbors and law enforcement as you travel through Gerlach, Empire, Nixon, and Wadsworth, and the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe reservation.

• Despite afternoon drizzle, the conditions are improving on the playa. The roads in Black Rock City remain too wet and muddy to officially open them for Exodus on Sunday 9/3.
• We will be opening for Exodus on Monday morning 9/4. We will inform the community as soon as we make the decision by 9am.
• Please stay off of Gate Road — rain and mud make it impassable at the moment. We have created alternative routes that if used on Monday you will be flagged to the best area to drive across.
• The majority of the rain has passed with partially cloudy skies, and a chance of showers and thunderstorms for the rest of the daylight hours. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms linger into the evening of Sunday 9/3. Gusty winds are still possible today and this evening. Monday 9/4 will bring clear skies, and a welcome chance to dry out.
• The Man burn will not happen tonight, Sunday, it is now scheduled for Monday 9/4, at 9pm. The Chapel of Babel is scheduled to burn at midnight, Tuesday 9/5 (i.e. the night of Monday 9/4).
• Do not forget the Leave No Trace and Communal Effort principles when you are leaving BRC this year. All participants are expected to pack out everything they brought in and clean their camp space before leaving the city.
• WiFi has been made available at Center Camp and the 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock plazas.
• Mobile cell trailers have been placed around the city to help boost cellular service for participants.
• Charging stations for public use are now placed at the Ranger Outposts and HQ at 3 o’clock, 6 o’clock, and 9 o’clock.
• Event operations are functional and responding to evolving conditions. Our communications systems are up and running, as are our power grids. 
• Sanitation trucks are moving through the city ensuring portable toilets are functional and clean. 
• Rampart, our Advanced Life Support facility, and our contracted fire fighting provider, will remain on site for two additional days.
• Flaggers are stationed at the 8-mile playa entrance to assist with traffic safety and vehicles departing the site. 
• Shuttle buses are running from the blacktop (CR34) to Gerlach and Reno, to assist those who choose to walk off the playa.
• Camps are being asked to watch for leaks and spills, and to clean them up if they occur. Camps are expected to continue diligence in Leaving No Trace.
• Please respect law enforcement if you encounter them on playa. They are here to help as we navigate through the next few days. Participants are not being detained. BLM and the Pershing County Sheriff’s Office have not issued instructions to detain people. The Burning Man organization’s advice is for participants to delay their departures to avoid getting stuck in the mud, but people are free to leave should they choose to do so.
• If you are traveling through the Reno Airport, please note that they do not have the space or facilities to accommodate travelers needing a place to stay for periods of time while plans are sorted out. Visit their website for more information.
• Reno hotels are aware of the rain event on the playa and are looking forward to welcoming and supporting Burning Man participants as they leave the area to go home.
• We’re aware that this weather has impacted people’s plans, artwork, camps, and artistic vehicles. Burning Man is an extremely resilient and generous community.
• Media inquiries go to press@burningman.org. This email address is being monitored constantly.
• We do not expect to have to evacuate the site. However, we are in a high level of readiness due to weather uncertainty and playa conditions, to assist people on site and leaving the site as needed, as conditions evolve.
• The online rumors of transmissible illnesses in Black Rock City are unfounded and untrue. 

Where to find regularly updated information: 

• Burning Man Information Radio (BMIR) 94.5 FM (or listen on iHeartRadio). 
• Gate Information Radio Station (GARS) 95.1 FM for 24/7 Exodus-related information. 
• BManTraffic and BRCWeather for traffic and weather information. 
• Burning Man’s official Facebook page. 

• As of 9am Sunday, the roads remain too wet and muddy to officially open them for Exodus. There is also an uncertain weather front approaching Black Rock City.
• Some vehicles with 4WD and all-terrain tires are able to navigate the mud and are successfully leaving. But we are seeing most other types of vehicles that try to depart getting stuck in the wet mud which hampers everyone’s Exodus.
• Please do NOT drive at this time. Road conditions differ based on the neighborhood. We will update you on the driving ban after this weather front has left the area.
• We will share additional information about the Man and Temple burns as soon as possible.

Burning Man is a community of people who are prepared to support one another. We have come here knowing this is a place where we bring everything we need to survive. It is because of this that we are all well-prepared for a weather event like this. 

We have confidence in Communal Effort and Civic Responsibility and this is a good moment to drop in with those principles in mind.

Burning Man Project has been facilitating Black Rock City and Burning Man for over 30 years. 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. 

We will be dropping mobile cell trailers in strategic positions Saturday night September 2, and opening up the internet for 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock plazas and Center Camp sometime Saturday evening. We will send out info when this is completed. 

We are also deploying buses to Gerlach to take people to Reno who might walk off the playa. See our recommendations on when walking is viable or not. This is not likely a 24-hour operation at this time. See below for details.

Today we met with all of our agency collaborators on the local, county, state, tribal, and federal levels. We are in constant communication with those agencies.

We will update you frequently via our staff networks, our community networks, BMIR, Burning Man Traffic X (formerly Twitter), Burning Man Project X (formerly Twitter), and Facebook.

Please read below for details on what is happening around you and what your options are.

Get some rest and spend some quality time with your campmates. We will all get out of this, it will just take time.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS:

What is going on?

• As of 9am Sunday September 3, the Gate to Black Rock City is still closed. Ingress and egress are halted. The playa is too wet to navigate with vehicles.
• The weather forecast indicates potential rainfall overnight Saturday 9/2 into early Sunday 9/3. This adds to an already saturated playa. This will affect the amount of time it takes for the playa to dry. With sunlight and warmer temperatures, it will dry more quickly. 
• Burns: At this time all Burns are postponed. We will update this information here as we get clearer on the weather and how it has impacted Burn logistics. 
• We need to count on one another to be patient and create safe conditions for our departure. We do not currently have an estimated time for the roads to be dry enough for RVs or vehicles to navigate safely. Monday late in the day would be possible if weather conditions are in our favor. We will let you know. It could be sooner, and it could be later.
• The organization is resourcing all of our 4WD vehicles with skilled drivers and all-terrain tires, as well as all of our 4WD ATV’s, and staging them in places near Ranger stations to help ferry medical and other urgent situations to the blacktop.
• You may see logoed vehicles from Rangers, ESD (Fire and Medical), DPW, and NV Operations moving about the playa. We need to survey which roads are in good and poor conditions. We also have some staff vehicles with staff bumper stickers and no logo that are qualified to move. Please help us keep streets clear by not driving, so we can set the stage to open the city back up again and begin Exodus.
• REPEAT: Specific authorized Staff and Emergency Vehicles may be moving about the city. This does NOT mean we are releasing all vehicles. We have found that ONLY 4WD vehicles with all-terrain tires are currently 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. PLEASE don’t be that person. The roads will dry. The issue is NO LONGER ruining the roads (that is the concern before we start the event), but once we are in Exodus we need the roads to be clear, and not to have vehicles blocking traffic flow.
• We have fuel near generator banks so we can maintain internal communications and keep the internet up, as well as give more widespread access.
• We are currently configuring the organization’s wifi system for public access. We will send out information when that is complete. The areas that will have access to wifi will be Center Camp, and the 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock plazas (SSID: BRC Public Wifi) . This won’t be complete before 10 pm PST on Saturday Sept. 2.

What should I do?

• Hunker down in a warm, safe place.
• Look out for your neighbors, introduce yourself.
• Don’t drive or bike on the playa until further notice.
• Conserve your food, water, and fuel. If you have extra, share with your neighbors. This is always common-sense in a wilderness environment.
• Pro tip: If you have to walk around, cover your shoes with a pair of socks — it will help prevent the playa mud from sticking to your shoes.
• If you are traveling out via the Burner Express Bus or Air services, you will receive an email with updates when we know how and when the services will resume.
• It is possible to walk to the blacktop County Road 34. If you do this make sure you have water and the strength to walk as much as 5 miles through the mud. This isn’t a simple solution, but it is a possible one should you need or want to make the trek.
• We will have buses in Gerlach during daylight hours to move people to Reno. This is free of charge. Hotel rooms in Gerlach are full, and moving to Reno is your best option for a good night’s sleep if you choose to leave the playa. We do not recommend walking this distance at night. One can become disoriented by the darkness and doing a search and rescue will delay us from helping the city open back up again.

What other resources are available for me?

• NV Energy is moving four Cell on Wheels systems into the area. These will be arriving before 10 pm Saturday 9/2 and will be deployed strategically to create a web to assist people in using cellular service.
• If you need assistance, flag down a Black Rock Ranger. They are walking and driving through the streets of the city and are available to help. You can also visit the ESD and Ranger stations and Headquarters at 5:45 & Esplanade, or ESD and Ranger Outposts at the 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock plazas.
• If you have a radio, listen to Burning Man Information Radio (BMIR) 94.5 FM (or listen on iHeartRadio). They’re broadcasting helpful ‘round-the-clock updates. You can also check out Gate Information Radio Station (GARS) 95.1 FM for 24/7 exodus-related information.
• Monitor BManTraffic and BRCWeather for up-to-date traffic and weather information.
• As always, check out the Survival Guide for all sorts of helpful info.