Burning Man concludes in Nevada desert as thousands depart

Traffic in northern Nevada is beginning to back up as thousands of Burning Man revelers depart the annual festival that is set to conclude on Sunday.

Roughly 70,000 people from all over the world traveled near and far for the popular event that kicked off on August 27 in the Black Black Rock Desert, which is about 120 miles from Reno.

A Twitter account dedicated to convey the traffic times for those coming-and-going shared that it will take at least two hours to depart one of the exits. 

‘Departing: Burningman to HWY is ~1 hour.. Southbound to Wadsworth is 1 hr 58 mins. Northbound from Wadsworth to Gate Road – 2 hour 2 mins,’ a tweet sent at 3pm EST from @BurningManTraffic Twitter account reads.

The famed Black Rock City was transformed into a ‘metropolis dedicated to community, art, self-expression and self-reliance’ where thousands descended upon at the start of the festival.

 

Farewell: Traffic in northern Nevada is beginning to back up as thousands of Burning Man revelers depart the annual festival that is set to conclude on Sunday. Above a participant from this year sporting face paint laughs 

Roughly 70,000 people from all over the world traveled near and far for the popular event that kicked off on August 27 in the Black Black Rock Desert, which is about 120 miles from Reno

Roughly 70,000 people from all over the world traveled near and far for the popular event that kicked off on August 27 in the Black Black Rock Desert, which is about 120 miles from Reno

The famed Black Rock City was transformed into a 'metropolis dedicated to community, art, self-expression and self-reliance' where about thousands descended upon at the start of the festival

The famed Black Rock City was transformed into a ‘metropolis dedicated to community, art, self-expression and self-reliance’ where about thousands descended upon at the start of the festival

Those who attend the festival operate on a system of barter trading - swapping items and services for what they need - no money is required. Burners built and maintained a temporary city, complete with its own airport

Those who attend the festival operate on a system of barter trading – swapping items and services for what they need – no money is required. Burners built and maintained a temporary city, complete with its own airport

The psychedelic symposium  known as Burning Man was still going strong as it entered its eighth day on Saturday

The psychedelic symposium known as Burning Man was still going strong as it entered its eighth day on Saturday

Saturday marks the height of the festival, where thousands gathered in the evening to witness the lighting of 'the Man'

Saturday marks the height of the festival, where thousands gathered in the evening to witness the lighting of ‘the Man’

The 2017 Temple at Burning Man was created by artists Steven Brummond, Marisha Farnsworth, and Mark Sinclair as a place for people to place memorials, to mourn and grieve. It will be burned on Sunday evening to formally conclude the event

The 2017 Temple at Burning Man was created by artists Steven Brummond, Marisha Farnsworth, and Mark Sinclair as a place for people to place memorials, to mourn and grieve. It will be burned on Sunday evening to formally conclude the event

The art and music festival runs over nine days until September 4 in Black Rock Desert, which is about 120 miles north of Reno

The art and music festival runs over nine days until September 4 in Black Rock Desert, which is about 120 miles north of Reno

The theme this year for the festival is designed to honor the ritual humankind has made, that speak of a need to belong to a place

The theme this year for the festival is designed to honor the ritual humankind has made, that speak of a need to belong to a place

Pictured above is a giant structure of a mechanical woman rising from bed at  art and music festival in Black Rock City, Nevada

Pictured above is a giant structure of a mechanical woman rising from bed at art and music festival in Black Rock City, Nevada

Giant constructed seahorses are pictured above cascading across desert sands as an estimated 70,000 people enjoyed this year's Burning Man festival

Giant constructed seahorses are pictured above cascading across desert sands as an estimated 70,000 people enjoyed this year’s Burning Man festival

Thousands gathered at near a constructed art installation replicated to look like a tree at this year's Burning Man festival

Thousands gathered at near a constructed art installation replicated to look like a tree at this year’s Burning Man festival

A Twitter account dedicated to convey the traffic times for those coming-and-going shared that it will take at least two hours to depart one of the exits around 3pm EST. The account is updated throughout the day

A Twitter account dedicated to convey the traffic times for those coming-and-going shared that it will take at least two hours to depart one of the exits around 3pm EST. The account is updated throughout the day

In a matter of days, volunteers for the arts and music festival built the state’s busiest airport in the middle of an ancient dry lake-bed.

The airport, formally known as 88NV, is constructed every year and averaged as many as 800 takeoffs and landings a day before it’s taken down completely at the end of the event, leaving no trace that it ever existed.  

As the festival, which began in 1986 as a bonfire, prepares to conclude, several ‘temples’ that were built according to a theme will be burned down in a ritualistic ceremony on Sunday evening.  

A temple was erected commemorating the Golden Spike and participants are invited to visit the shrine and make offerings that embody what Burning Man’s culture means to them prior to the ceremony.

In a matter of days, volunteers for the arts and music festival built the state's busiest airport in the middle of an ancient dry lake-beb 

In a matter of days, volunteers for the arts and music festival built the state’s busiest airport in the middle of an ancient dry lake-beb 

On Saturday night, Burners gathered to witness the lighting of the symbolic ritual burning of the huge wooden effigy named the Man, which is pictured above before the burn

On Saturday night, Burners gathered to witness the lighting of the symbolic ritual burning of the huge wooden effigy named the Man, which is pictured above before the burn

Temperatures in the desert have exceeded 100 degrees at times, while punishing dust storms covered most of the desert gala in sand over the past few days

Temperatures in the desert have exceeded 100 degrees at times, while punishing dust storms covered most of the desert gala in sand over the past few days

Two burners dressed in eccentric costumes dance the night away at Burning Man festival in the Nevada desert on Saturday night

Two burners dressed in eccentric costumes dance the night away at Burning Man festival in the Nevada desert on Saturday night

The 'Rabid Transit' Burning Man art car erupts with flames from it's onboard propane poofers during the seventh night of festivities

The ‘Rabid Transit’ Burning Man art car erupts with flames from it’s onboard propane poofers during the seventh night of festivities

Above participants climb atop Death Guild's Thunderdome to watch the fights below, just one of many fantastic attractions constructed at this year's Burning Man festival

Above participants climb atop Death Guild’s Thunderdome to watch the fights below, just one of many fantastic attractions constructed at this year’s Burning Man festival

The temple this year was created by artists Steven Brummond, Marisha Farnsworth, and Mark Sinclair as a place for people to place memorials, to mourn and grieve. 

On Saturday night, Burners gathered to witness the lighting of the symbolic ritual burning of the huge wooden effigy named the Man. 

The 50-foot-tall structure towered over the temporary city during the duration of the festival until it was torched as thousands of participants danced and partied on the ancient dry lake bed. 

But this year’s Saturday night event turned traumatic when an attendee ran straight into the blaze. 

Emergency services bravely tried to rescue a festival-goer who ran straight into the Burning Man during Nevada’s famous arts and music festival. 

The Man was burned during a special ceremony on Saturday night as Burners partied around it

The Man was burned during a special ceremony on Saturday night as Burners partied around it

Thousands of participants gather to watch the Man burn on Saturday night in the desert

Thousands of participants gather to watch the Man burn on Saturday night in the desert

But one Burning Man participant evaded the attempted tackles of multiple rangers and law enforcement personnel and ran into the flames of the 'Man Burn' on Saturday night

But one Burning Man participant evaded the attempted tackles of multiple rangers and law enforcement personnel and ran into the flames of the ‘Man Burn’ on Saturday night

The man who ran into the flames was quickly engulfed as emergency services nobly tried to battle their way through in an attempt to rescue him

The man who ran into the flames was quickly engulfed as emergency services nobly tried to battle their way through in an attempt to rescue him

Above a firefighter watches as the Burning Man participant (L)  falls into the flames of the 'Man Burn' at the festival on Saturday night

Above a firefighter watches as the Burning Man participant (L) falls into the flames of the ‘Man Burn’ at the festival on Saturday night

Emergency personnel gather in a huddle while they respond to the man who ran into the flames at the festival on Saturday night. It was announced that he died from his injuries on Sunday afternoon at the UC Davis hospital in California

Emergency personnel gather in a huddle while they respond to the man who ran into the flames at the festival on Saturday night. It was announced that he died from his injuries on Sunday afternoon at the UC Davis hospital in California

He had to dodge a number of rangers and law enforcement personnel in order to reach the fire, which stretched approximately 50 feet into the air. 

Authorities said on Sunday afternoon that the man died after being airlifted to the UC Davis hospital burn center in California. It’s unclear if alcohol or drugs played a role in the tragic incident.

 The event on Saturday night is traditionally rowdy while the event Sunday night is the subdued burning of the Temple. 

The premise of the Burning Man festival is that almost everything is created entirely by its citizens, who are active participants in the experience. 

Since money is practically outlawed on the site, ‘Burners’ are urged to barter for commodities and in the past fans have taken to social media to swap items such as crystals for festival tickets.  

Pictured above The Man is engulfed in flames people from all over the world gathered for the annual arts and music festival to watch the wooden effigy burn

Pictured above The Man is engulfed in flames people from all over the world gathered for the annual arts and music festival to watch the wooden effigy burn

The Burning Man (pictured before it was set on fire) stretched up to 50ft into the air in the desert

The Burning Man (pictured before it was set on fire) stretched up to 50ft into the air in the desert

Lights shining across the temporary city as thousands of participants gather to watch the Man burn prior to it being set on fire Saturday night

Lights shining across the temporary city as thousands of participants gather to watch the Man burn prior to it being set on fire Saturday night

In addition to the special ceremonies, dozens of art installations were constructed for the event, some made from wire, others as patterns on the ground and some as immersive experiences.  

Stunning photographs showed the larger-than-life art installations that were the focal points of this year’s festival theme of Radical Ritual.  

The Radical Ritual theme this year is to honor rituals that humankind has made, including the festival. 

The event’s website says: ‘Burning Man is permeated with rituals. These rites speak of soulful need; the desire to belong to a place, to belong to a time, to belong to one another, and to belong to something that is greater than ourselves, even in the midst of impermanence. 

‘Throughout all ages temples have been built in order to induce these feelings.’ 

THE TEN PRINCIPLES OF BURNING MAN 

Radical Inclusion 

Anyone may be a part of Burning Man. We welcome and respect the stranger. No prerequisites exist for participation in our community.

Gifting

Burning Man is devoted to acts of gift giving. The value of a gift is unconditional. Gifting does not contemplate a return or an exchange for something of equal value.

Decommodification

In order to preserve the spirit of gifting, our community seeks to create social environments that are unmediated by commercial sponsorships, transactions, or advertising. We stand ready to protect our culture from such exploitation. We resist the substitution of consumption for participatory experience.

Radical Self-reliance

Burning Man encourages the individual to discover, exercise and rely on his or her inner resources.

Radical Self-expression

Radical self-expression arises from the unique gifts of the individual. No one other than the individual or a collaborating group can determine its content. It is offered as a gift to others. In this spirit, the giver should respect the rights and liberties of the recipient.

Communal Effort

Our community values creative cooperation and collaboration. We strive to produce, promote and protect social networks, public spaces, works of art, and methods of communication that support such interaction.

Civic Responsibility

We value civil society. Community members who organize events should assume responsibility for public welfare and endeavor to communicate civic responsibilities to participants. They must also assume responsibility for conducting events in accordance with local, state and federal laws.

Leaving No Trace

Our community respects the environment. We are committed to leaving no physical trace of our activities wherever we gather. We clean up after ourselves and endeavor, whenever possible, to leave such places in a better state than when we found them.

Participation

Our community is committed to a radically participatory ethic. We believe that transformative change, whether in the individual or in society, can occur only through the medium of deeply personal participation. We achieve being through doing. Everyone is invited to work. Everyone is invited to play. We make the world real through actions that open the heart.

Immediacy

Immediate experience is, in many ways, the most important touchstone of value in our culture. We seek to overcome barriers that stand between us and a recognition of our inner selves, the reality of those around us, participation in society, and contact with a natural world exceeding human powers. No idea can substitute for this experience. 

 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk