Burning Man Urges Extra Travel Time as Hawk Fire Recovery Continues

Fire Scorches Over 15,000 Acres Northwest of Reno

The Hawk Fire, burning northwest of Reno, has scorched more than 15,000 acres and was 93 percent contained as of Wednesday, according to fire officials. The blaze destroyed 47 homes and damaged 14 more, prompting Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo to declare a state of emergency in Washoe County. The cause was human-related and remains under investigation.

All road closures, including a stretch of US-395 that had been shut down, have been lifted. However, tens of thousands of festival attendees are about to travel through a region where residents just lost their homes, hotels are housing displaced people, and first responders are still working.

Practical Guidance for Burners Passing Through

Burning Man, running August 30 to September 7 at Black Rock City in Nevada's Black Rock Desert, issued an advisory this week asking attendees to allow for additional travel time through the Reno-Sparks area. The organization recommends leaving earlier than planned, confirming Reno lodging directly with hotels before arrival, and avoiding improvised detours on unfamiliar roads.

The organization also pointed attendees toward the Northern Nevada Wildfire Relief Fund and Burners Without Borders' travel guidance for ways to help. "Treat our neighbors, first responders, hospitality workers and everyone affected by this emergency with patience and care," the organization wrote.

The event itself is proceeding as scheduled. Black Rock City sits well away from the burn area, and with containment nearly complete, this is a logistics matter rather than a cancellation scenario.