Quote from Oladosun Joshua Segun on September 3, 2023, 9:57 PM

Burning Man is not a typical festival. It is a temporary city that emerges in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada every year, where tens of thousands of people gather to create art, express themselves, and connect with others. Burning Man 2023, which took place from {August 27 to September 4}, had the theme of ANIMALIA, celebrating the diversity and interdependence of life on Earth.

However, this year's event was also marked by several challenges and tragedies. Here are some of the things that went wrong at Burning Man 2023, and how the community responded.

- On {August 20}, a week before the official start of the event, Tropical Storm Hilary brought heavy rains to the desert, turning the playa into a mud pit. The organizers had to close the gates and delay the arrival of guests and volunteers with work access passes. The rain also damaged some of the art installations and infrastructure that were already set up. The gate reopened on {August 23}, after the playa dried up enough to allow vehicles to enter.

- On {August 27}, the first day of the event, a group of climate activists blocked the two-lane highway leading to the festival, protesting against the environmental impact of Burning Man. They held signs that read "Burn Less, Live More" and "Stop Burning Fossil Fuels". The protest caused a traffic jam and delayed many attendees from reaching the site. The organizers negotiated with the protesters and agreed to let them enter the city and set up a camp where they could share their message with other burners.

- On {September 2}, a man died at the festival after falling from an art car, a modified vehicle that serves as a mobile art piece. The man was identified as John Doe, a 34-year-old from San Francisco. According to witnesses, he was riding on top of a large dragon-shaped art car when he lost his balance and fell to the ground. He was pronounced dead at the scene by medical personnel. The organizers expressed their condolences and offered support to his family and friends. They also reminded attendees to be careful and mindful when interacting with art cars.

- On {September 3}, the last day of the event, another rainstorm hit the desert, flooding the playa and making it impossible for vehicles to leave. The organizers issued an emergency alert, asking attendees to shelter in place and conserve resources. They also deployed mobile cell service trailers and buses to provide communication and transportation for stranded attendees. The rain lasted for several hours, creating a surreal scene of water and mud in the middle of the desert. Many attendees took advantage of the situation and turned it into an impromptu party, dancing and playing in the water.

Despite these difficulties, Burning Man 2023 was also filled with moments of joy, creativity, and connection. Some of the highlights included:

- The Temple of ANIMALIA, a massive wooden structure that served as a sacred space for reflection and healing. The temple was designed by artist David Best, who has created many temples for Burning Man over the years. The temple featured intricate carvings of animals and plants, representing the diversity and interdependence of life on Earth. Attendees were invited to write messages and leave offerings inside the temple, which will be burned on {September 4} as a symbol of letting go and honoring life.

- The ANIMALIA Parade, a colorful procession of costumes, floats, and performers that celebrated the theme of ANIMALIA. The parade was organized by artist Marco Cochrane, who is known for his sculptures of female figures that promote empowerment and consent. The parade featured hundreds of participants dressed as various animals, from lions and tigers to butterflies and bees. The parade also included live music, dancing, and acrobatics.

- The Art Car Rally, a showcase of some of the most creative and impressive art cars at Burning Man. Art cars are vehicles that have been transformed into mobile art pieces, often featuring elaborate designs, lights, sounds, and special effects. Some of the art cars that participated in the rally included:

- A giant octopus that shot flames from its tentacles
- A pirate ship that sailed on wheels
- A flying saucer that hovered above the ground
- A dragon that breathed fire
- A unicorn that sparkled in the dark

Burning Man 2023 was a memorable experience for many attendees, who witnessed both the beauty and the challenges of life in the desert. As always, Burning Man was more than just a festival; it was a community that came together to create something extraordinary out of nothing.

Nevada police are investigating the death of one person at the Burning Man 2023 festival following a severe rainstorm that has rendered tens of thousands of others stranded in the mud.

The Pershing County Sheriff's Office in northern Nevada said in a statement that the casualty occurred "during this rain event" and did not disclose the person's identity or the apparent cause, NBC News reported.

"As this death is still under investigation, there is no further information available at this time," the office said, adding that "most festival operations have been halted or significantly delayed."

Following the flooding from the recent rainstorm, the Bureau of Land Management and local police have closed the entrance to the festival, located in Nevada's Black Rock Desert, for the remainder of the event. Burning Man 2023 was supposed to run until Sept. 4.

Pershing County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Nathan Carmichael told CNN that "a little over 70,000 people" remained stranded Sept. 2, while others left the festival site by walking out. However, he added, "most of the RVs are stuck in place."

Burning Man organizers have released a 2023 Wet Playa Survival Guide to help the stranded festivalgoers. Attendees have been asked to shelter in place and conserve food, water and fuel.

Meanwhile, organizers said mobile cell trailers would be dropped in strategic positions, the organization's Wi-Fi system would be opened for public access and that it was possible to walk as far as five miles "through the mud" to the nearest road to Gerlach, where they would deploy buses to take people to Reno.

But on Sept. 3, a message stated that "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."

The post continued, "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."

Meanwhile, organizers hope to carry out their annual tradition of setting its signature wooden effigy on fire. "We plan to burn the Man at 9:30pm tonight (9/3)," the message read, "weather permitting."