One dead at Burning Man, closing fire burns

I'd rather plunge to my death on drugs than drive into that desert traffic jam to Reno.

Last year there was bad traffic and rainstorm that caused Burners to rush out, leaving a MOOP mess

.

Burn The Man so we can get out of here!

[Kendra Frazer, 39, is dead, presumably of drug use complications or abuse and overdose.]

A red flag warning was issued today (Monday, 9/2/24) for far Western Nevada (home of Burning Man's Black Rock City), Northeastern California, and the Tahoe Basin by the National Weather Service (NWS).

• But what's it really like? Burning Man 2024 in photos: dust storms, art installations, and the creative community on vibrant display

The warning comes amid [a burgeoning traffic jam out of the desert with high temperatures, strong wind gusts, and low humidity -- conditions that could cause wildfires to start and spread rapidly.

• LIVE: 2024 Burning Man incineration (livestream)
• Red flag warning for Burning Man area: exodus (SF Gate)
• TRAFFIC JAM: VIDEO: Burning Man attendees face raging dust storm, getting stuck in mud, as they wait hours to leave festival

At the Reno-Tahoe International Airport, wind gusts had already reached around 30 miles per hour as of 10:00 am, Meteorologist Matthew Chyba at the weather service told SF Gate.

• VIDEO: Woman dies on first day at Burning Man (KTLA)
• Fire breaks out in Los Angeles (Santa Fe Dam) on 210 Fwy.
• VIDEO: Evacuation warnings in place for ‘Record Fire’ in Riverside County, California (KTLA)

He said as conditions are "ripe" for wildfires to spread, members of the public are urged to follow their local fire restrictions and avoid outdoor activities that can cause sparks. This happens near dry vegetation, including yard work, target shooting, or even campfires.

• Introducing 2023 Temple of the Heart (Burning Man Journal)
• From Mayan warrior to the Super Bowl: Burning Man inspires sustainable solutions worldwide
• Elon Musk's praises 'incredible' Burning Man despite death of festivalgoer
• Burning Man billionaires get deluxe treatment as they arrive in private jets

The red flag warning coincides with the exodus from Burning Man festival, which sent thousands of revelers driving into the desert amid blowing playa dust.

Traffic jam out of the desert

Drivers leaving Burning Man have been encouraged to "triple-check" their load and trailer for loose items before they leave the desert for the pavement.

• Will the 'Man burn' tradition happen on Labor Day this year?
• Augmented cooling centers open in overheated Los Angeles as excessive heat warnings take effect (KTLA)
• Burning Man Festival arrests with man found with 'deadly weapon' and assaults
• Burning Man 2024 hit with bad weather again as rain causes delays to festival

Festivalgoers depart for Burning Man as event fails to sell out for the first time in years (Getty)

.

Sundown on dusty, sleepy non-town (BRC)

Average travel time to leave the event was around three hours as of Monday morning, according to several posts on X (Twitter). One recent ex/tweet read:

"Average travel time for Greeters to Black top is 5h 50m. All lanes are designated outbound early. The speed limit is 5mph."

According to NWS, the area will have lows around 53 degrees Monday night with wind gusts between 10 and 15 miles per hour, with the strongest hitting around 30 miles per hour. In the day Reno is expected to hit temperatures of around 90 degrees.

Santa Fe Dam, Irwindale, Los Angeles, catches on fire again today

• More: Chaos hits Burning Man on Labor Day as red flag warning for exodus is put in place
• Burning Man maintains its stellar record, passes 2023 post-event site inspection

Get all the latest news, entertainment, sport and lifestyle updates from our dedicated American team. Follow Daily Express US on Facebook and Twitter @ExpressUSNews

• Hollie Beale, Daily Express US, 9/2/24; Diego Palomar Electronic Music, The After Movie 2024 (Un Official); Ananda (Dharma Buddhist Meditation), Dhr. Seven, Jen Bradford (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly