Photo by Mulling It Over

Drought conditions in the Black Rock desert could mean burners are in for an even wilder ride than usual at Burning Man this year.

According to this Wired story, serious dust storms could cause chaos at the week-long festival - but the severity of them will depend on the strength of the winds.

From the story: “…it’s still too early to tell whether the winds will bring the pain to Burning Man. Not that it will matter much to attendees, who can’t do much more than hunker down and wait the storms out.”

“They are sort of a captive audience when the dust storm comes up,” said one researcher of the burners on the playa. “In a more typical situation, you just get the hell off of it.”

Undeterred by dust storms big or small? Headed to Black Rock City this week?

Be sure to check out Matador’s First-Timers Guide to Burning Man.