Burning Man’s 2025 edition opened under extreme conditions as a violent dust storm swept across Black Rock City on Saturday, just hours before the official kickoff. Winds topping 50 mph ripped through camps, flattening tents and forcing burners to seek shelter, while visibility plummeted to near zero.
Camps Devastated, Attendees Scramble
Festivalgoers shared shocking images of destroyed setups and eerie, dust-filled skies. Tech entrepreneur Akshay Dodeja described it bluntly: “Insane wipeout/dust storm hit Burning Man this afternoon. It devastated a lot of camps. Ours included. Time to rebuild.” Viral clips showed once elaborate campsites reduced to scattered tarps and furniture buried under waves of playa dust.
Weather Warnings Come True
The National Weather Service confirmed gusts of up to 52 mph and issued a wind advisory for the region, warning of continued hazardous conditions. The storm followed earlier advisories about possible monsoonal rain and lightning tied to Tropical Storm Fernand’s outer influences, which had created instability across the Sierra and Nevada desert.
Art Installation Destroyed
In a heartbreaking blow to the international art community, the Ukrainian installation Black Cloud was destroyed. The 100-foot-long, 50-foot-high structure made of over 4,300 yards of fabric was designed to symbolize the horrors of war. Creator Vitaliy Deynega recounted the destruction: “Then came the apocalypse. I realized that something very bad was happening.”
Long Gate Waits and Caution Ahead
Despite the chaos, Burning Man officially opened at 12:01 a.m. Sunday, though by morning wait times at the gate stretched beyond seven hours. Organizers urged caution, acknowledging the storm’s devastation but encouraging resilience.
More Trouble on the Horizon
The National Weather Service issued a flood watch through Sunday evening, warning that if storms intensified, flash flooding on the playa was possible. For attendees still recovering from the storm’s destruction, the prospect of rain only added to the anxiety.
Burners Keep Spirits High
Even in the face of apocalyptic conditions, the community spirit of Burning Man shone through. Videos circulated of burners joking about the weather, with one attendee captioning their update: “I’ve never seen a video of Burning Man and thought I was missing out.” For now, the dust and potential floods set the tone for a challenging but unforgettable start to Burning Man 2025.