Wildfires are giving a new meaning to the name Burning Man as smoke from the Rush Fire near Ravendale, Calif. clouds the event that launched on Monday.
Megan Miller, a spokesperson from the annual festival of alternative culture, had this to report:
The smoke from the Rush fire in northern California is blowing over Black Rock City, and is anticipated to do so until they are able to contain the fire, which will hopefully happen early this week (if weather conditions permit). What we're seeing on playa is the occasional inundation of smoke that can irritate your throat, lungs and eyes. People sensitive to such things should take necessary precautions, and everyone should take extra care of themselves as they arrive in BRC. Drink more water before and during arrival, take more naps, do what you can to ease in to the playa climate gently.
Routes to the event remain open, reports Ed Wilson of the Nevada Department of Transportation, but you can monitor changes on the agency's website. If you don't see any mention of SR 447, you can assume the way is clear, Wilson told us.
RCJ.com, a Gannet newspaper site, had these details in a report on Wednesday, Aug. 22:
Until the fires are extinguished, a blanket of smoke and haze will linger in the air, said Dawn Fishler, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Reno.
Containment in the Rush Fire, near Ravendale, Calif., is not expected for several more days — which will impact Burning Man attendees already expected to face desert dust...
Burning Man participants will be impacted by the smoke as the international event will kick off Monday, prior to the fires’ anticipated containments, said [Kevin] Dick, [director of Air Quality Management for the Washoe County Health District]. He encouraged people to take precautions where thicker layers of smoke coat the air.