Burning Man festival goer shows grim conditions after flood chaos
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There was even more chaos at the Burning Man festival as clashes broke out between revelers during the exodus from the Nevada desert.
On Monday afternoon, participants finally began leaving town in Black Rock City after severe flooding and muddy conditions left thousands stranded over the weekend.
During the stampede, Pershing County Sheriff Jerry Allen said participants “hit on each other” as they had to wait eight hours to leave.
“As is common in what Burners call the ‘standard world,’ people allow their emotions to override their reason and lash out at each other as they leave the playa and try to get to their next destination.” he told the San Francisco Chronicle.
The man who died during the festival has also been identified as 32-year-old Leon Reece. His death is currently under investigation but is not believed to be weather-related.
Meanwhile, officials continue to entertain conspiracies, including the debunked theory that the festival was hit by an Ebola outbreak.
The man’s annual cremation took place on Monday evening after being delayed by weather.
Important points
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In photos: Brenner leaves this year’s festival
People wait in line for a bus leaving the Burning Man festival in Black Rock Desert, Nevada, USA, September 4, 2023
(EPA)
Vehicles are seen leaving the Burning Man festival in Black Rock City, Nevada
(Portal)
Ariana Baio5 September 2023 9:00 p.m
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Viral country star Oliver Anthony is among those “trapped” amid flood chaos at Burning Man
Oliver Anthony, the country artist behind the viral hit “Rich Men North of Richmond,” is apparently among those stranded at the Burning Man festival in Nevada.
Ariana Baio5 September 2023 8:30 p.m
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Traffic moves “smoothly” out of the Black Rock Desert
As of Tuesday morning (Pacific Time), traffic from the Black Rock Desert, where Burning Man attendees depart the nine-day festival, is “smooth.”
The exodus time was approximately two to three hours at 10 a.m. PT.
Ariana Baio5 September 2023 8:00 p.m
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Diplo posts review of Burning Man weekend
Ariana Baio5 September 2023 7:00 p.m
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Nevada’s sheriff dismisses wild conspiracy theories about Burning Man
A local sheriff in Nevada was forced to fend off wild conspiracy theories about Burning Man that continue to spread online.
A wave of misinformation spread across Black Rock City and online on X, formerly known as Twitter, and TikTok as the site collapsed over the weekend.
One of the biggest false rumors was that there was an Ebola outbreak at the festival, and some conspirators claimed there were several deaths from the disease.
Pershing County Sheriff Jerry Allen dismissed that rumor in a statement about the incident on Monday.
“In consultation with the Bureau of Land Management and the Burning Man Project, there is no validity to reports of an Ebola outbreak or any other disease,” he said.
Ariana Baio5 September 2023 6:00 p.m
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Watch: Burning Man attendees begin the five-mile desert escape after the flooded festival ends
Burning Man visitors leave the site after the flooded festival ends
Ariana Baio5 September 2023 5:00 p.m
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Burning Man revelers beat each other as they leave the Washout festival
The chaos of Burning Man isn’t over yet, and annoyed revelers are attacking each other during the exodus from the festival grounds.
After a long weekend of unfortunate events and extreme weather conditions – during which huge amounts of rain turned the dry desert ground into a mud pit – tensions boiled over among some festival-goers on Monday.
Ariana Baio5 September 2023 4:30 p.m
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The weather is expected to be sunny
After heavy rains left most of Burning Man flooded and wet, the site is expected to dry out on Tuesday.
The National Weather Service (NWS) said the weather today is expected to be sunny, with highs of 80°F – perfect conditions for many participants to leave after the rain.
Ariana Baio5 September 2023 4:00 p.m
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CDC confirms no Ebola, Mpox or Marbug at Burning Man
In a statement to The Independent, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) confirmed that there have been no reports of Ebola at Burning Man.
“CDC has not received any reports of Ebola at the Burning Man Festival and has not issued any alerts or received requests for assistance from state and local health authorities,” a CDC spokesperson said.
“In addition, we have not received any reports from Mpox or Marburg, and to our knowledge no national emergency has been declared due to the flooding.”
Ariana Baio5 September 2023 3:30 p.m
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Exodus time about five hours
Burning Man festival organizers said the wait for attendees on Tuesday was about five hours.
“The waiting time when leaving the BRC is 5 hours. Stay tuned to GARS 95.1 and BMIR 94.5 for more updated information. Drive safely, obey traffic laws, be polite, patient and dress appropriately when exiting your vehicle. – please be respectful of the country and the people you meet.”
Ariana Baio5 September 2023 3:00 p.m