Burning Man, dust go hand-in-hand as advisory issued

Trevor Hughes

USA TODAY

BLACK ROCK CITY, Nev. — Authorities issued a blowing dust advisory to Burning Man participants for Wednesday, predicting gusts of up to 45 mph and visibility down to half a mile.

Authorities have issued a blowing dust advisory for the Burning Man area for the afternoon and evening of Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2015,, predicting gusts of up to 45 mph. This photo taken the morning of Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015, shows huge clouds enveloping the temporary city, which is built on a giant sand plain known as the playa.

The advisory is in effect for Wednesday afternoon and evening, although winds and dust have been plaguing the area from the very start of this weeklong event.

Last weekend, the winds created periods of white-out conditions and crumpled several tents and shelters. Most participants are well aware of the risks involved and come prepared with long tent stakes, face masks and goggles.

Authorities say the worst conditions will be from from 1 to 9 p.m., with winds expected to moderate by midnight.

Burning Man is a weeklong celebration and arts extravaganza that draws 70,000 people into the desert, climaxing with the ritual burning of an effigy on Saturday and then a wooden temple on Sunday.

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