BLM Nevada News
Winnemuccca Field Office No. 2008-16
For Release: July 17, 2008
Contact: Mark Struble at (775) 885-6107

Temporary Public Closure Order on Portions of the Black Rock Playa 
During Burning Man Event

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Winnemucca Field Office announced in the Federal Register on July 17, 2008, a temporary closure and the prohibition of certain activities on public lands immediately surrounding the site of the 2008 Burning Man event. The closure affects a small part of the Black Rock Desert Playa between August 8 and September 15.

"The closure is necessary to protect public resources and provide for public safety," said Dave Cooper, Black Rock Desert-High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area (NCA) manager. "The closure and restrictions also enable BLM law enforcement personnel to support state and local law enforcement agencies."

According to Cooper, similar closures have been ordered for the area for many years with minimal disruption to other public uses. The closures reserve the 8-Mile entrance to the Black Rock Desert Playa solely for Burning Man ticket holders, but all other playa access points and 93 percent of the playa – more than 97,000 acres - remains open to public use.

"This means that those seeking solitude or who want to get away from it all on the playa or elsewhere in the NCA can do so during the Burning Man event," said Cooper.

Click here to access a pdf copy of the closure order. 

Questions can be directed to Dave Cooper at the BLM Winnemucca Field Office, 5100 E. Winnemucca Blvd., Winnemucca, NV 89445 or by phone at 775-623-1500.