Particle.news
Download on the App Store
16 ARTICLES
·
2h ago

Burning Man Reopens Gates After Dust Storm as Airport Stays Paused and Flood Risk Persists

Forecasters expect scattered thunderstorms through midweek with a flash‑flood threat across the playa.

Fierce dust storms destroyed many campsites the evening before Burning Man was set to officially begin in the Black Rock Desert on Aug. 23, 2025. The entrance gates to Burning Man reopened Monday morning after storms shut down the festival’s main access point over the weekend. But thousands of attendees faced wait times of six to eight hours on the road into the desert, according to organizers.
Fierce dust storms destroyed many campsites the evening before Burning Man was set to officially begin in the Black Rock Desert on Aug. 23, 2025. The entrance gates reopened Monday morning after storms shut down the festival’s main access point over the weekend. But thousands of attendees faced wait times of six to eight hours on the road into the desert, according to organizers.
Fireballs explode as part of the Man burn at Burning Man on Labor Day.

Overview

  • Entry wait times of six to eight hours were reported Monday after weekend gate closures, with authorities lifting Wadsworth restrictions but warning conditions could shift again.
  • Operations at the volunteer‑run 88NV airport remain on hold after nearly 100 flights were grounded, and an air ambulance has been the only aircraft to land since Sunday.
  • Measured gusts reached about 52 mph Saturday, creating whiteout conditions that toppled camps and destroyed the 8‑ton Ukrainian ‘Black Cloud’ installation.
  • Organizers reported several minor injuries and urged participants to secure camps, avoid driving during low visibility, and monitor official alerts as cleanup continues.
  • Roughly 70,000–80,000 attendees are expected this week, and any new rain could quickly turn the lakebed to mud, echoing 2023’s weather‑driven disruptions.