The main artery to the annual Burning Man festival in Nevada was temporarily shut down as a result of a rapidly expanding wildfire Wednesday night.
According to the Reno Gazette-Journal, a lightning strike sparked the wildfire Tuesday, which spread quickly, thanks to erratic winds.
In a statement, Sierra Front Wildfire Cooperators said the wildfire had consumed over 52,000 acres of grass, brush and timber.
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“The fire has exhibited extreme behaviour with wind-driven runs. Some electrical transmission lines have been damaged by the fire,” the group said in the statement.
Working to contain the fire, about 100 crew members worked Thursday night to snuff the blaze, which was burning about 65 kilometres from the Burning Man celebrations, the Associated Press reported.
Coverage of B.C. wildfires on Globalnews.ca:
The road has since reopened, but may close again as a result of the wildfires in the area.
More than 70,000 people were expected at the art and music celebration in the Black Rock Desert by the time it peaks Saturday night with the traditional burning of a towering effigy.
A spokesperson for Interagency Fire service told the Associated Press there was no urgent threat to the Burning Man festival.
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“It’s not close to Burning Man at this time,” John Gaffney told the news agecny. “There’s a considerable distance between the fire and the festival. At this point, the goal is to keep the road open as much as we can.”
The wildfires didn’t stop those who already made the pilgrimage to the festival earlier this week. Here’s a look at a selection of photos from Burning Man so far.
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