Man feared electrocuted after stepping into puddle at Burning Man, officials say

Stormy conditions and flash floods at Burning Man proved to be dangerous for one attendee in Nevada, news outlets reported.

On Aug. 26, three days into the nine-day festival, a man stepped in a puddle and was feared to have faced a possible electric shock, officials told SFGate.

The festivalgoer, whose name hasn’t been released, was airlifted from the remote Black Rock Desert, but the extent of his injuries was not specified, officials told the Reno Gazette Journal.

The weather left the Playa soaking wet that evening, with conditions so flooded cars were unable to drive, according to The San Francisco Chronicle.

“If you are in Black Rock City: Keep an eye out for lightning, take care of your camps, and stay safe,” the Burning Man Project’s traffic dashboard said. “The playa is too wet to drive. Do not drive. Keep all cables, plugs, and generators dry and covered. Elevate connections and seal them with electrical tape. Never run a generator or powered gear sitting in water.”

The gates to Burning Man were closed following the weather conditions on Aug. 27 but reopened on Aug. 28, the Reno Gazette Journal said.

Tens of thousands of people attend Burning Man each year. The festival started in 1986 and says it promotes acceptance, self-reliance and art, relying on its 10 principles.

Black Rock Desert is about a 100-mile drive northeast from Reno.

This story was originally published August 28, 2025 at 8:55 AM.