‘Mass exodus’ as ’endless line’ leaves doomed Burning Man festival

Burning Man’s days-long flood-related driving ban has been lifted as wild scenes of a mass ‘exodus’ emerge from the doomed festival.

‘Mass exodus’ at doomed Burning Man festival

The driving ban at Burning Man was lifted Monday — allowing the estimated 64,000 remaining attendees to escape to the festival grounds that were transformed into a muddy mess from torrential downpours.

“Exodus operations” were officially underway in the Black Rock Desert in Nevada thanks to drier grounds, festival organisers said in an update posted to its website around 2pm local time, the New York Post reports.

Vehicles are seen departing the Burning Man festival in Black Rock City. REUTERS/Matt Mills McKnight

According to images of the mass exit, an endless line of vehicles and RVs were slowly leaving the area Monday.

But even though the driving ban was no longer in effect, organisers urged those still in attendance to delay their departure until Tuesday to reduce some of the road congestion.

“Please know that while conditions are improving and roads are drying, the playa is still muddy and may be difficult to navigate in some neighbourhoods and down certain streets,” organisers said.

Revellers attending the 2023 Burning Man Festival in Nevada were told to conserve food and water with heavy rain causing flooding to the remote site. Picture: Facebook.

Attendees were also asked not to walk out of Black Rock Desert as others — including comedian Chris Rock and DJ Diplo — did over the weekend.

The pair had apparently walked six miles Saturday through the mud before hitching a ride in the back of a fan’s pick-up truck, according to a video posted on Instagram by Diplo, whose real name is Thomas Wesley Pentz.

An estimated 64,000 attendees were still trapped Monday. Picture: Facebook.

“I legit walked the side of the road for hours with my thumb out,” Diplo wrote.

The festival prohibited driving from the site after more than a half-inch of rain flooded the area Friday, leading to foot-deep mud.

Still, some left the festival by car before being given the OK by organisers on Monday.

If weather permits, the burning of “the Man” – a large wooden effigy shaped like a man — is expected to be held Monday night, with the burning of a wood temple structure set for Tuesday night that signals the end of the festival.

The burning was postponed as authorities worked to reopen the exit routes by the end of the Labor Day weekend.

The well-known alternative festival first started in 1986 on a San Francisco beach, attracts nearly 80,000 artists, musicians and activists and includes wilderness camping and avant-garde performances.

DJ Diplo escaped Burning Man with comedian Chris Rock. Picture: Instagram

The festival became a muddy mess when heavy rain hit the area. Picture: Instagram

“We are a little bit dirty and muddy, but spirits are high,” Southern California photographer Scott London.

“The party still going.”

When flooding hit the area, revellers were urged to conserve food and water as most remained hunkered down.

“Everyone has just adapted, sharing RVs for sleeping, offering food and coffee,” Philadelphia photographer Rebecca Barger said. “I danced in foot-deep clay for hours to incredible DJs.”

Tens of thousands were still at the site midday Monday. Picture: djsharam / UGC / AFP

Others could escape the harsh conditions by walking several miles to the nearest town for a ride.

The festival was rocked by a death over the weekend, though organisers said it was not weather-related.

More details about the man’s death in his 40s have not been disclosed.

This story originally appeared on the New York Post and is republished here with permission.