A temporary closure of Black Rock Playa was announced by the Bureau of Land Management.
Public lands in the immediate vicinity of the Burning Man site will be closed for short periods of time each year for the next five years. According to BLM, these restrictions are necessary to protect resources, ensure public safety in the Black Rock Desert Wilderness, and allow BLM law enforcement officers to assist regional and local law enforcement agencies.
Among other things, they seek to prevent unruly behavior, DUI, underage drinking, and weapon possession.
Unauthorized recreational activities in the restricted area are to be temporarily banned in two phases for a maximum of 66 days.
- Phase 1 encompasses less than three percent or 9,941 acres of the Black Rock Desert Playa.
- Approximately 51,149 acres or 33 percent of Black Rock Desert Playa falls under Phase 2, although 67 percent of the playa beyond the temporary exclusion zone will remain open to the general public for sporadic recreational use.
Dates for Phase1 and Phase 2 closures through fiscal year 2027 will be:
2023
- Phase 1- July 27 through September 30 (66 Days)
- Phase 2- August 21 through September 9 (20 Days)
2024
- Phase 1- July 25 through September 28 (66 Days)
- Phase 2- August 19 through September 7 (20 Days)
2025
- Phase 1- July 24 through September 27 (66 Days)
- Phase 2- August 18 through September 6 (20 Days)
2026
- Phase 1- July 30 through October 3 (66 Days)
- Phase 2- August 24 through September 12 (20 Days)
2027
- Phase 1- July 29 through October 2 (66 Days)
- Phase 2- August 23 through September 11 (20 Days)