A powerful dust storm disrupted Nevada’s annual Burning Man festival on August 23, tossing early attendees’ campsites and leaving incoming Burners stuck in stop-and-go traffic for up to eight hours.
In a bid to protect their belongings, attendees scrambled to take shelter in any available RVs. As the winds swept across the desert festival grounds, Burners watched helplessly as their campsites, art installations, and sculptures were blown away.
Festival organizers reported sustained winds of up to 45 mph (72 km/h), creating hazardous conditions that left the crowd bracing for the storm’s full impact.
Burning Man 2025 officially kicked off on August 24 in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert and will run through September 1. It is considered one of the craziest events in the world. Known as one of the world’s wildest events, the festival offers much more than extravagant costumes—it features eight intense days of spiritual experiences, renewal, discovery, music, dance, and art.
To explore the unique world of Burning Man, check out this gallery!