Fire is at the heart of the Burning Man event, and we encourage and support all types of safe fire art and pyrotechnic displays. The following information and guidelines are designed to promote the safe use of open fire, flame effects and pyrotechnics in your artwork, performance, theme camp or mutant vehicle. Please read this page in its entirety, as well as the other pages in this section that apply to your work. Thank you for burning safely!
Fire Art Safety Team (FAST)
Burning Man’s Fire Art Safety Team (FAST) is a team of artists, fire safety personnel and industry professionals whose mission is to provide experienced support for fire artists and to ensure the safe use of fire at the Burning Man event. FAST assists artists in the safe execution of open fire, flame effects, and/or pyrotechnics in installations, theme camps and mutant vehicles. FAST inspects artworks incorporating fire and issues the appropriate BRC burn license(s) once the fire artwork has been approved.
There are two kinds of FAST personnel: 1) FAST Artist Liaisons work with artists and their fire safety liaisons during the pre-event evaluation process, and 2) FAST Leads oversee any burns and/or pyrotechnic shows at the event. Take advantage of their knowledge and experience in planning your fire artwork.
Fire Art and Event Stipulations
Burning Man’s agreements with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management are in the form of event stipulations, which state that for public safety reasons, artworks using open fire, flame effects and/or pyrotechnics require safety inspection and approval in the form of a BRC burn license (laminate).
FAST and outside authorities, including law enforcement, retain jurisdiction over all flame classifications. They have the right to request to see the BRC burn license and can override, stop, alter or cancel any artwork or performance with just cause. They have access to all areas of the artwork or performance at all times.
Flame Classifications
Burning Man has created a set of definitions that will help participants understand and plan for the use of fire and pyrotechnics in art installations, camps and mutant vehicles. These definitions will be referenced throughout this section.
Open Fire
Open Fire is defined as simple burning of solid or unpressurized liquid fuels, without any enhancement by mechanical devices, extra oxidizers or pyrotechnic materials. Examples of open fire include burning sculptural installations on the playa, as well as burn barrels, braziers, oil lamps, torches, candles and other simple uses of fire. (Note that artists who wish to burn their artwork in place on playa must register their art by April 15 and be approved to burn by FAST.)
Flame Effects
Flame Effect is defined as “the combustion of solids, liquids, or gasses to produce thermal, physical, visual, or audible phenomena before an audience.” This includes all flames that are automated, switched, pressurized or having any other action than simply being lit on fire; as well as projects using propane or other liquid or gaseous fuels. (Note: liquid fuel flame effects are not allowed in theme camps or on mutant vehicles.)
Pyrotechnics
Pyrotechnics refers to the art, craft and science of fireworks, which includes any explosives or projectiles. All pyrotechnic special effects material used in any art installation or performance must consist of consumer fireworks [1.4G Class C, UN0336] or less
Fire in Theme Camps
The use of flame effects and burn barrels is allowed within theme camps, but the urban density of the camping area of Black Rock City poses some additional challenges and issues.
A small burn barrel or flame effect at the entrance to your camp can be just the thing to help guide you and your campmates back late at night, but the reality of a tent fire or a more serious situation arising from its misuse is a threat to participant safety and the future of our event.
Each camp should designate someone who is responsible, not under the effects of drugs or alcohol, and present at all times to monitor fires and/or flame effects and be prepared to extinguish the fire if wind conditions kick up.
Flame Effects on Mutant Vehicles
All mutant vehicles must be registered and approved by Burning Man’s Department of Mutant Vehicles. Flame effects are allowed on mutant vehicles, although liquid-fueled effects and burn barrels or other open fire are prohibited.
While all standards for LP-Gas (or “propane”) flame effects also apply to mutant vehicles, there are additional considerations specific to mutant vehicles that must also be addressed.