Black Rock Rangers

Black Rock Rangers are participants, just like everyone else at Burning Man. Wearing khaki hats with the Black Rock Ranger logo and khaki-colored attire, Rangers are veteran members of the Burning Man community and are specifically trained volunteers who help mediate disagreements, address safety concerns, direct participants to resources and information, find lost kids, and even just help put a fresh set of eyes and ears on sticky problems. You can request their assistance anytime for disputes, emergencies, or questions – really, whatever you think needs extra support.

The Rangers’ ideal outcome is to help people solve their own problems, by offering a gentle nudge in the right direction, then fading into the dust when they’re not needed. Rangers can radio for law enforcement, medical and mental health staff, firefighting resources, and environmental clean-up teams if necessary. Black Rock Rangers are not law enforcement agents.

Black Rock Rangers do not physically engage with participants. Instead, they rely on tools such as education, negotiation, and an appeal to the 10 Principles to resolve conflicts.

Black Rock Rangers are available 24/7 throughout Black Rock City, and at Ranger Headquarters at Esplanade & 6:30. Assistance is also available at Ranger Outposts in the 3:00 & C and 9:00 & C plazas. Black Rock Rangers wander Black Rock City on foot, in pairs, and marked vehicles. Anyone with a radio can call a Ranger if needed.

Emergency Services Department (ESD)

Black Rock City Emergency Services Department personnel wear yellow shirts labeled “Emergency Services” and feature the ESD logo on their uniforms and vehicles. They provide BRC with firefighting, emergency medical, and crisis intervention services. ESD is not part of any law enforcement or outside agency.

Medical Stations are located on the Esplanade at 5:15, behind the plazas at 3:00 & C, and 9:00 & C. Look for the lighted red cross above each station.

Crisis Intervention Services

ESD provides crisis support for those experiencing a personal event. You can contact these resources at any first aid station, Ranger Outpost, or by contacting any staff member with a radio.

The Survivor Advocate center is behind the ESD station 6, located @ 5:15 & Esplanade.

Law Enforcement Substation on Esplanade

If you need law enforcement assistance, please wave down a patrol unit, find a Black Rock Ranger who will help you contact law enforcement, or visit the law enforcement substation at Esplanade & 5:15. The station is open 24/7 during the event. It is staffed by law enforcement for assistance. 

Ice Sales

Ice is sold at Arctica in the Center Camp Plaza, in the 3:00 & G and 9:00 & G plazas, and bulk sales at 6:15 & K (Large Order Outpost). The 3, 6, and 9 o’clock igloos accept credit cards, tap payment (ApplePay), and cash. The Large Order Outpost is cash-free. The Large Order Outpost is the only location with non-ADA vehicle parking. You must have valid driving credentials to drive on playa. Come prepared with means to transport your ice back to camp.

Pre-event ice sales:

  • Thursday 8/27 – Friday 8/28: Ice Main and Outpost 12 pm – 5 pm
  • Saturday 8/29 – Sunday 8/30: Ice Main, Ice Nine, and Outpost 12 pm – 5 pm

Event week ice sales:

  • Monday 8/31 – Saturday 9/5: Ice Main, Ice Nine, Ice Cubed, and Outpost open 10 am – 5 pm
  • Sunday 9/6: Ice Main and Outpost 12 pm – 5 pm
  • Monday 9/7 (Exodus Monday): Ice Main and Outpost 10 am – 12 pm

Information (a.k.a. Playa Info)

Playa Info, now located at Esplanade & 5:45, is staffed by knowledgeable volunteers ready to answer your questions from 9 am to 6 pm, unless otherwise posted. You can find American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters from 9 am to 10 pm, emergency tow and lockout services, and other services and information there. You can use the Playa Info Directory (the bank of computers,) 24/7 to find theme camp locations, event schedules, ride-shares, register yourself and your camp location, and to look up friends. Note: There is no internet access. Playa Info’s large BRC maps show theme camp locations and bulletin boards are available for posting events, messages, and general information.

American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreters

We continue to welcome and support all Deaf and Hard of Hearing Burners in Black Rock City with ASL@BRC. This project provides certified ASL interpreters to assist Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and hearing Burners in communicating with each other before and during the event, as well as emergency interpreter support on-site. For walk-up service, ASL interpreters can be reached via Playa Info during event week from 9 am to 10 pm. For urgent needs pre-event or after hours, please contact 1) Black Rock Ranger Walk-up windows at Esplanade & 6:30; or 2) any Burning Man staff with a radio, who can request interpreters to be paged.

Lost & Found: Label it!

You increase the chances of getting your lost item back by putting your name on it! For a phone, this can be an old-fashioned sticker or an entry in the emergency/medical info. Add a tag to your backpack and other beloved possessions. Your camp’s name/address only helps other participants return an item if it’s up to date! Please note that Lost & Found won’t try to deliver items to your camp. You have to come to Esplanade & 5:45 (search the database 24/7, pick up items 9-6). If you can’t find an item during the event, try the Lost & Found database before October 31st. Found an item? Please bring it to Lost & Found at Playa Info (Esplanade & 5:45) as soon as you can. Drop boxes are available 24/7. Lost & Found does not accept bikes! Please leave bikes where you found them.

Volunteering

Black Rock City runs on participation, and that includes volunteering. Almost every event team you meet is volunteer-driven. Volunteering is a great way to step up your engagement and connect with other vibrant and wonderful humans. You just might meet future besties and join a team that inspires you for many years to come. 

There are ample opportunities to get involved and we encourage all citizens of BRC to stop by the V-Spot, open 9 am – 5 pm daily at Esplanade & 5:45. Learn more about volunteering.

ARTery

The ARTery is the on-playa home of the Burning Man Art Department and serves as the check-in and service center for artists and a hub of information about Burning Man art. If you are interested in learning more about the art at Burning Man, head on over to the ARTery at Esplanade & 6:30. Inside, you will find the most up-to-date information about scheduled burns, art discovery tours, artist talks, and you can check out a large map of the open playa that shows where art installations are located. The ARTery is open daily 9 am – 6 pm.  

The ARTery is committed to tracking and mitigating all incidents of art vandalism on playa.  If you see an artwork that has been or is being vandalized, please come to the ARTery to file a report. Reports can be made anonymously and are an important part of preventing vandalized or damaged art in the future. 

Biological MOOP (urinating or defecating on the artwork) is also vandalism. It’s a terrible surprise for the artists the next day — it’s also disgusting, completely counter to our community values, and shows an unforgivable lack of respect and responsibility. Please encourage your campmates and friends to visit the porta-potties on the open playa (marked by blue lights) instead.   

To learn more about what Burning Man’s art team does (and doesn’t do), see the ARTery information page.

Placement

Placement is the department that maps and supports all of Black Rock City’s placed camps and theme camps. If you have a question about where to camp or have a conflict with a neighboring camp, stop by Placement Headquarters at Esplanade & 5:45 to seek help. Placement Headquarters is open daily 9 am – 9 pm during Build Week and 9 am – 6 pm during the event.

BMIR 94.5 FM

Burning Man Information Radio (BMIR) 94.5 FM broadcasts travel, emergency, general information, and community programming 24 hours a day. BMIR will also be available on mobile devices via iHeart, providing traffic reports three times an hour during entry and Exodus. Stop by BMIR at Esplanade and 5:45 between 12 pm and 4 pm daily to record promos for your events and happenings… tell the city what you’re up to!

GARS 95.1 FM

Gate Advisory Radio Station (GARS), 95.1 FM, provides up-to-date Gate Road travel times, closures, traffic reports, and ways to ease entry and Exodus.

BRC Dashboard

The BRC dashboard provides the latest traffic, weather, and other critical info, all in one place. Find it at BRCdashboard.burningman.org.

Press & Media

Any commercial, editorial, or otherwise non-personal use of Black Rock City photos, video, or sound recordings is not permitted without prior written permission from Burning Man Project. All media professionals with intent to distribute content publicly (including social media, documentaries, publications, art galleries, or blogs) must register as professional media prior to the event and check in at Media Mecca at 6:15 & Esplanade. Limited walk-up registration is possible at Media Mecca. Participants sharing images for personal use are not required to register. Still, they must adhere to the Photo and Video Rights and Responsibilities and Burning Man Project’s Ticket Terms and Conditions. It is your responsibility to obtain consent before taking a photograph or video recording of someone. Questions? Visit Media Mecca.

Use of Burning Man names, logos, and event imagery is tightly restricted to protect Decommodification and participant privacy—commercial or promotional use requires prior written permission.

Personal and creative use (like gifting) is generally okay, but you may not sell items or use Burning Man IP or images to promote a business, product, or event.

Airport & Pilot Policies

Black Rock City Municipal Airport is a temporary, private airport (FAA identifier 88NV). The Airport is operational from 8 am to 6 pm daily for NEW ARRIVING passengers; during Exodus the hours change to 6 am-6:30 pm for outbound traffic. Passenger drop-offs and pick-ups are prohibited except by mutant vehicle or Airport/Burner Express Air Shuttle. If you ride your bike to the airport, please ride it back to the city. To find the Airport, take 5:00 and head toward the perimeter fence — you can’t miss it. Pilots wishing to fly to BRC must land at 88NV and comply with all Airport rules. All pilots must pre-register at airport.burningman.org. All aircraft occupants (including the pilot) must have a valid Burning Man ticket and pay the $100 per person airport use fee. Will Call tickets can be picked up at the Airport Box Office (AirBox) between 8 am and 7 pm.

Earth Guardians

Earth Guardians inspire Burners to embrace Leaving No Trace and live more sustainably on and off the playa. If you have questions about sustainable camping or the Black Rock National Conservation Area, visit Earth Guardians on the Esplanade or check out their website at www.earthguardians.net.

Burn Gardens / Wood Donation Stations

Now located only on Esplanade & 5:30 in front of MOOP Map HQ, burn platforms for the BURNING OF WOOD ONLY will be open to the community from Sunday, September 6, at 10 am through Tuesday, September 8. Our friendly volunteer staff will be on hand to direct you as well as receive any donations of new and unused lumber. NO BURNING CARDBOARD, PAPER, COMPOST, RECYCLING, TRASH, OR TOXIC MATERIALS IN THE BURN PLATFORMS.

Recycle Camp

Pre-crush and sort your empty aluminum cans in mesh bags (so they dry out!), then bring them to Recycle Camp at 5:35 & Esplanade, between 9 am and 5 pm, Monday through Sunday. Come ride the CRUSHINATOR, our state-of-the-ART bicycle-powered aluminum can-crushing machine. Come by early (don’t wait until the last day!), come by often (we have great fun!), but by all means, come before 5 pm Sunday, or you’ll have to pack them out yourself. No plastic, tin, or steel, please. All proceeds are donated to the local Gerlach school district.

RV Servicing

There is no recreational vehicle dumping station in Black Rock City, and you absolutely may NOT dump on the playa. BLM issues citations for dumping or even leaking gray or black water. You are responsible for preventing and remediating leaks. There is no location for scheduling RV servicing. If you see a truck designated “RV servicing,” you can flag it down. Many trucks are servicing infrastructure, not RVs, so be sure to look for the sign. United Site Services is the only vendor authorized to provide cash sales of pumping services. Note: pumping services only include the removal of gray and black water — not a potable water fill. Use only one-ply toilet paper.

Fuel Safety and Storage

All participants using fuels in their camps, art installations, or mutant vehicles (or for other purposes) in Black Rock City must educate themselves about and comply with appropriate practices for storing and handling these materials. Not only is this essential for safety, but it is also required as part of our event permit stipulations with the Bureau of Land Management. Review the revised and updated 2026 Fuel and Hazardous Materials Storage requirements before planning your Camp Layout.

One of the ways you can help us protect the playa is by storing as little fuel as possible in your camp. No more than 110 gallons or two 55-gallon drums may be stored in a camp at one time. Each point of transfer is a risk of spill, fire, or worse. Black Rock City PETROL’s BRC Fuel Program provides art projects, mutant vehicles, and theme camps the ability to purchase fuel on playa. It is preferable (and safer) to have large generators filled daily by the PETROL Department rather than storing fuel in your camp and filling equipment yourself.

The BRC Fuel Program is for registered art projects, mutant vehicles, and theme camps with higher volume needs, as well as registered support vehicles. It is not available for passenger vehicles, RVs, and participants who did not go through the application process. If this means you, plan to bring in your own fuel. This fuel safety program is intended to reduce the amount of traffic transporting large loads of fuel into the event and the need for large fuel storage in camps.

New for 2026: Electrical Safety

Electricity makes a tremendous amount of what happens on playa possible, but it also carries real risks when systems are rushed, improvised, or overloaded. The Electrical Safety web page outlines key considerations for electrical safety in Black Rock City — from generation and distribution to grounding, protection, and day-to-day use.

These guidelines are intended to help citizens in Black Rock City plan safer systems, avoid common hazards, and keep both people and equipment protected and safe throughout the event. These guidelines are just that, guidelines, and they are not intended to summarize or supplant the many safety material resources available. If you are in doubt, consult a professional.

Burn Perimeter Support (BPS)

Burn Perimeter Support (BPS) trains and provides volunteers to help stand the perimeter line at art burns of all sizes. These perimeters are set at a predetermined radius where participants can congregate and watch these spectacular events that may involve pyrotechnics, falling embers, and sometimes fire tornadoes. By keeping the crowd at a safe distance, BPS has the important job of keeping an eye on the crowd instead of watching the fantastic display behind them.  

You will see BPS volunteers standing on the perimeter of each large burn, wearing reflective safety vests and holding flashlights, sometimes redirecting you. It may look like a wide-open space inside the perimeter, or even a great shortcut.  The job of Burn Perimeter Support is to keep folks out. This is for your safety and the safety of everyone involved. 

To learn more about what Burn Perimeter Support does or perhaps volunteer, see the Burn Perimeter Support Volunteer Page.

Burn Etiquette

Guidelines for Participants, Bikes and Art Cars so everyone can safely enjoy the burn:

  • First 5-10 rows of participants behind the Burn Perimeter are seated on the ground – no chairs, coolers, bikes or visual obstructions.
  • Chairs, coolers and other trip hazards can be placed about 10 rows back. 
  • Bike Parking begins about half way between the Burn Perimeter and Art Car Perimeter, a minimum of 30 feet out from the perimeter on smaller burns and 100 feet on larger burns.
  • Accessibility Vehicles and very small Art Cars (golf cart size) can park behind the bikes.
  • The Art Car Perimeter is generally marked by flags or orange cones, a minimum of 50 feet out from the perimeter on smaller burns and 200 feet or more on larger burns. 
  • Art Cars may be asked to adjust their position for safety and to preserve sightlines.  Be prepared and keep your crew close by just in case!  
  • Do not block the view of those who are already settled behind you – ask for consent! 
  • No Lasers! No Exceptions!
  • No bright lights shining into the burn circle 
  • Ask a Ranger or Burn Perimeter Support Volunteer if you need help finding or adjusting your spot