Black Rock Rangers

Black Rock Rangers are available 24/7 throughout Black Rock City, at Ranger Headquarters at 5:45 and Esplanade, and at the Ranger Outposts at the 3:00+C & 9:00+C plazas.

Black Rock Rangers are veteran members of the Burning Man community who can 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. 

The Rangers’ ideal outcome is to help people solve their own problems with a gentle nudge in the right direction, and then fade 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.

You can identify Rangers by their hats and khaki-colored attire featuring the Black Rock Ranger logo in brown on their backs and chests. You can request their assistance at any time for disputes, emergencies, or questions. 

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

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

Black Rock City can be a hyper-stimulating place. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, trained peer support volunteers from the Zendo Project and the Green Dot team of the Black Rock Rangers are there to support you. The Zendo Project facilities are entirely run by participants and are located near the 3 and 9 portals just past C. 

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis or needing psychological support, the Emergency Services Department’s Crisis Intervention Team is also available. Ask a Black Rock Ranger or Emergency Service personnel for help. If needed, they will contact the Crisis Intervention Team for you, or you can go to their Survivor Advocacy Center next to the Medical Station at 5:15 and Esplanade. Ranger Outposts are located at the 3:00+C & 9:00+C plazas.

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 5:15 and Esplanade. The station is open 24/7 during the event and is staffed by BLM and the Pershing County Sheriff’s Office.

Center Camp

Center Camp is a vibrant hub in Black Rock City with an acre of beautifully designed, shaded space where all are welcome 24/7 during Event week. Its majestic Crown Flags are one of the largest landmarks on the playa that can help you get oriented. Center Camp houses two stages with performances and talks by participants from all over the world. It is home to a beautiful art gallery that includes 2D, 3D, and interactive art. We will be expanding the space to include participants who are invited to come showcase their Art and Performance.

Ice Sales

Ice is sold at Arctica in Center Camp, and in the 3:00+G and 9:00+G plazas on G. During the event, Monday to Saturday hours are 9 am to 6 pm, Sunday noon to 6 pm and Exodus Monday in Center Camp only from 10 am to noon. Ice is available crushed for $10 a bag (16 pounds) or blocks for $5 bag (10 pounds). Note this is the same pricing as 2022 but a change from prior years, when crushed ice was sold in 7 pound bags for $4. Come prepared with means to transport larger bags of ice back to camp. Pre-event, ice is available at two locations: Center Camp Arctica, Thursday through Sunday from noon to 6 pm; and Ice 9 (9:00+G), Saturday and Sunday pre-event from noon to 6 pm. Credit cards, Apple Pay, and cash are accepted at all locations.

Information (a.k.a. Playa Info)

Playa Info in Center Camp is staffed by knowledgeable volunteers ready to answer your questions 9 am to 6 pm, unless otherwise posted. You can find American Sign Language interpreters from 9am to 10pm, emergency road and lockout services, and other services and information. You can use the Playa Info Directory 24/7 to find theme camp locations, event schedules, ride-shares, to 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, and in 2022 we launched ASL@BRC. This project provides certified ASL interpreters to assist Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and hearing Burners in communicating with each other during the event, as well as emergency interpreter support on-site. As a walk-up service, ASL interpreters can be reached via Playa Info during event week between the hours of 9am and 10pm. For urgent need after hours, please contact 1) Black Rock Rangers, or 2) any Burning Man staff with a radio, who can request interpreters be paged.

Lost & Found: Label it!

The best way to increase the chances of having a lost item reunited with you is to mark your possessions with your name and mailing address, and email or phone number.  It’s especially important to have this information attached to your phone and in your backpack. If you find something, bring it to Lost & Found at Playa info in Center Camp; drop boxes are available after hours. After the event, access the Lost & Found database online. Lost & Found does not accept bikes! Please leave bikes where you found them. 

Volunteering

Volunteering is a great way to step up participation and connect with the event. There are ample opportunities to get involved and we encourage all citizens of BRC to stop by the V-Spot, open 9-5 daily in The Center portal, to learn more.

You can also learn more about volunteering here and download a Volunteer Survival Guide.

ARTery

The ARTery is the check-in and service center for Honoraria and registered artists as well as 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 6:30 & Esplanade. Inside you will find the most up-to-date information about scheduled burns, art discovery tours, artist talks, and more. The ARTery is open daily from 9:00am-6:00pm.  

The ARTery is committed to tracking and mitigating all incidents of art vandalism on playa.  If you see an art piece that has been or is being vandalized, please come to the ARTery to make 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 the building of all of Black Rock City’s camps — especially theme camps and villages, with over 1200 of them. If you’re in a placed theme camp that needs help, looking for a camping spot in open camping, or have a conflict with a neighboring camp, stop by Placement Headquarters at Esplanade + 5:59. Placement Headquarters is open daily from 9:00am-6:00pm.

Burning Man 365 Days a Year: Global Activation

The non-profit Burning Man Project supports and nurtures participants around the world who engage in initiatives and projects inspired by the Burning Man ethos and the 10 Principles. To learn more about Burning Man Project, Burners Without Borders, Fly Ranch and the Burning Man Regional Network, visit Center Camp and Burners Without Borders camp at Esplanade and 4:00. Learn how you can Burn 365 days a year in 365: A Burning Man Field Guide.

BMIR 94.5 FM

Burning Man Information Radio (BMIR) 94.5 FM broadcasts travel, emergency and 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 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 you with up-to-date wait times, closures and traffic reports, as well as ways to ease the entry and exodus process.

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 art galleries, publications, or blogs) must register as professional media prior to the event and check in at Media Mecca at 10:30 in the Center Camp Plaza. Participants sharing images for personal use are not required to register, but still must adhere to the Photo and Video Rights and Responsibilities and Burning Man Project’s Ticket Terms and Conditions. It is your responsibility to ask for consent before taking a photograph of or video recording of someone. Questions? Visit Media Mecca at Center Camp, burningman.org/press or write press@burningman.org for more info.

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 (note the change from previous years); during Exodus the hours change to 6am-6:30pm 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 $60 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

Located on Esplanade at 3:00, 6:00, and 9:00, burn platforms for the BURNING OF WOOD ONLY will be open to the community from Sunday, September 3, at 10am through Tuesday, September 5. 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 into a mesh bag (so they dry out!), then bring them to Recycle Camp between 9 am and 5 pm, Monday through Sunday, directly behind Center Camp at 6:00. 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 Gerlach school.

RV Servicing

There is no recreational vehicle dumping station in Black Rock City, and you may not dump on the playa. BLM issues citations for dumping or 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 and not RVs, so be sure to look for the sign. The only vendor authorized to provide cash sales of pumping services is United Site Services. Note: pumping services only include removal of gray and black water — not a potable water fill. Use only one-ply toilet paper.

Fuel Safety and Storage

Black Rock City PETROL provides Art Projects, Mutant Vehicles and Theme Camps the ability to purchase fuel on playa.

One of the ways you can help us protect the playa is by storing as little fuel as possible in your camp. Each point of transfer is a risk of spill, fire or worse. It is preferable 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 as well as the need for large fuel storage in camps.

All participants using combustible fuels in their camps, art installation or mutant vehicle (or for other purposes) at 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. Be sure to review information about Fuel and Hazardous Materials Storage before planning your Camp Layout.

Subscribe to the BRC Utilities Greener Power Newsletter for tips to reduce your fuel consumption on playa.

Burn Perimeter Support (BPS)

Burn Perimeter Support 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, with reflective safety vests on and flashlights in hand, sometimes requesting you to redirect. If you approach the perimeter, within the first few rows, they will request you take a seat. 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.  

If you attend any of the art burns, please keep a good eye out for this safety perimeter. Bikes need to be dropped off at the back of the crowd somewhere around 50’ from the perimeter. They pose a major tripping hazard, and no one wants an injury on playa. 

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