Emergency closures isolate Burning Man site

Single Sign-On: You can use Facebook account to log in to LasVegasSun.com. (We will use your first and last name from your profile.)
Trusted Commenting: Facebook connected users automatically become trusted commenters.

Monday, Aug. 28, 2000 | 9:29 a.m.

The festival, billed as the ultimate celebration of free expression, is expected to draw 28,000 free spirits from across the country Monday through Sunday to the Black Rock Desert 120 miles north of Reno.

BLM spokesman Les Boni said the closure of the southern end of the Black Rock Desert playa is intended to provide for public safety in and around the festival's airstrip.

Some Burning Man participants will arrive by aircraft, and the closure of land around the airstrip will remain in effect Monday through Sept. 6.

The so-called "3-Mile" exit onto the playa north of Gerlach and roadways leading up the playa's west arm will be closed, as will the entire playa southwest of the festival site.