• infobot@lakesoffire.org

Survival Guide

 

Please see our Key Dates and Forms page for all deadlines, applications, and submission forms.

This is for those who want to survive.

2026 Grand Masquerade: July 15-July 19 2026 

WHAT IS LAKES OF FIRE?

You are Lakes of Fire. You embody the theme we choose together each year and bring the performance and story. You are the artist and the audience because there’s no “them” — we’re all in this together.

Every year, we build this experiment in creative freedom, participation and commodity-free community building, only to tear it down again to prepare for renewal the following year.

Lakes of Fire (LoF) is an annual gathering that takes place in Luther, MI, seeking to bring artistry and energy to the entire Great Lakes region.

This official Burning Man regional event is sponsored by Great Lakes Experimental Arts, Inc.

2026 Theme: Grand Masquerade

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

These are not rules – they’re ideals that offer guidelines to how we as a community can reinvent the world. Burning Man co-founder Larry Harvey wrote the Ten Principles in 2004 as guidelines for the newly-formed Regional Network. They were crafted not as a dictate of how people should be and act, but as a reflection of the community’s ethos and culture.

RADICAL INCLUSION

Anyone may be a part of Burning Man. We welcome and respect the stranger. No prerequisites exist for participation in our community.

GIFTING

Burning Man is devoted to acts of gift giving. The value of a gift is unconditional. Gifting does not contemplate a return or an exchange for something of equal value.

DECOMMODIFICATION

In order to preserve the spirit of gifting, our community seeks to create social environments that are unmediated by commercial sponsorships, transactions, or advertising. We stand ready to protect our culture from such exploitation. We resist the substitution of consumption for participatory experience.

RADICAL SELF-RELIANCE

Burning Man encourages the individual to discover, exercise and rely on their inner resources.

RADICAL SELF-EXPRESSION

Radical self-expression arises from the unique gifts of the individual. No one other than the individual or a collaborating group can determine its content. It is offered as a gift to others. In this spirit, the giver should respect the rights and liberties of the recipient.

COMMUNAL EFFORT

Our community values creative cooperation and collaboration. We strive to produce, promote and protect social networks, public spaces, works of art, and methods of communication that support such interaction.

CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY

We value civil society. Community members who organize events should assume responsibility for public welfare and endeavor to communicate civic responsibilities to participants. They must also assume responsibility for conducting events in accordance with local, state and federal laws.

LEAVING NO TRACE

Our community respects the environment. We are committed to leaving no physical trace of our activities wherever we gather. We clean up after ourselves and endeavor, whenever possible, to leave such places in a better state than when we found them.

PARTICIPATION

Our community is committed to a radically participatory ethic. We believe that transformative change, whether in the individual or in society, can occur only through the medium of deeply personal participation. We achieve being through doing. Everyone is invited to work. Everyone is invited to play. We make the world real through actions that open the heart.

IMMEDIACY

Immediate experience is, in many ways, the most important touchstone of value in our culture. We seek to overcome barriers that stand between us and a recognition of our inner selves, the reality of those around us, participation in society, and contact with a natural world exceeding human powers. No idea can substitute for this experience.

We ask all participants to

  • Ask first
  • Protect the community
  • Protect the land

VOLUNTEERS: WE NEED YOU!

Lakes of Fire is an entirely volunteer-run event. It’s folks like you that help make it awesome!

Communal effort is what keeps Lakes of Fire going. Volunteers work during the event and throughout the year, putting in hundreds of hours together. We sacrifice a little fun time so that we all get a chance to experience something special. As a community, as burners, and as people, we are thankful for all our volunteers.

And we need more! We always look for enthusiastic burners who want to help, so volunteer your time! 

To do this: 

  • Visit lakesoffire.volunteeripate.com to create an account on Volunteeripate and browse available volunteer shifts.
  • If you need assistance with Volunteeripate please see this helpful guide on signing up for volunteer shifts: Shift Sign-Up Guide
  • If you need assistance with creating an account or finding available shifts, you can also send us an email at Volunteers@lakesoffire.org.

If you miss out on signing up for volunteer shifts ahead of the event, you can view available shifts on Volunteeripate at any time, or come visit the FunctionJunction where the Info_bot  team can assist you with finding available open shifts.

THE NEXUS

There is a tent at the center camp area called The Nexus. The Nexus is an art and event-focused space where the community can gather, host events, and participate in ArtHub programming.

If you’d like to register your art, participate in an ArtHub class, or just want a place to relax for a bit, join us at The Nexus. 

THE FUNCTIONJUNCTION

Established in 2023, the FunctionJunction was created to give essential departments their own dedicated space, freeing up the Nexus to become the vibrant art hub it is today. The FunctionJunction is home to Info_Bot, Volunteers, and LNT.

Whether you’re dropping off lost items, picking up a moop loop, checking in for a fluffer shift, or just need general info, this is your one-stop shop.

Info_Bot
 Think of Info_Bot as your on-the-ground info desk. From “Where can I find this?” to “Are there any shifts available right now?”, they’ve got answers.  Found something? Lost something? Bring it here. Lost items are taken seriously at Lakes of Fire, ground scores aren’t a thing. If the booth is closed, leave non-valuable items on the table. Please find any lead for valuables, and they’ll take care of it.

Volunteers
The Volunteer Dream Team (VDT) supports Lakes of Fire volunteers year-round. Before, during, and after the event, we’re here to make sure our volunteer system runs smoothly and our volunteers feel supported and appreciated. Visit VDT HQ at the FunJun to check in for your Fluffer or Sentry shifts. Look for our roaming Fluffers onsite delivering water, snacks, sunscreen, encouragement, and good vibes to on-shift volunteers. Join us for our annual Volunteer Appreciation party on site! Look for date/time/location info in the What Where When (WWW) Guide. If you’re volunteering at Lakes of Fire this year, stop by the VDT HQ Sentry to pick up your Volunteer ID/Lammie.

Leave No Trace (LNT)
LNT is your go-to for anything moop-related. New theme camp lead? Stop by to learn the ropes from their acculturation team.  If you spot glass or a large moop zone, report it to LNT so they can properly document and dispose of it. First-timer at Lakes of Fire? Moop loops are an easy, fun way to earn hours and meet awesome people, no experience necessary.

ON ARRIVAL

You must arrive during the Gate’s official hours, or you will not be admitted. Please remember
that there is NO re-entry without prior approval. Participants only! No spectators, please.

Bringing a vehicle or total load (i.e. vehicle + trailer) larger than a sprinter van? You must be through the gate before 9pm EST! Placement will not place large vehicles in the dark. Read about our Large Vehicle Entry policy on the Gate department page.

GATE HOURS

Tuesday (EARLY ENTRY TICKETS ONLY. Your ticket will show the earliest date you can enter the event.) 10:00 A.M. EST – 11:59 PM EST – Gate closes.

Wednesday 10:00 A.M. EST – 11:59 PM EST – Gate closes.

Thursday 10:00 A.M. EST– 11:59 PM EST – Gate closes.

Friday 10:00 A.M. EST– 10:00 PM EST – Gate closes.

Saturday 10:00 A.M. EST– 4:00 PM EST –Gate closes! Participants only! No spectators, please. Arrive by 4:00 PM to participate in Lakes of Fire.

Sunday (Exodus only) All participants except for organizers, DPW, and LNT must be off the property by 3:00 P.M.

ENTERING LOF

You must have a valid, non-expired government-issued photo ID that matches your name and birth date in Volunteeripate to gain entry. Upon verifying both photo ID and having a valid ticket in Volunteeripate, you will be wristbanded. Keep your wristband on throughout Lakes of Fire. No ticket? No entry. No exceptions.

There will be absolutely no ticket sales at the Gate…as in zero.

  • Participants under 18 years old must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
  • All parents and guardians were required to register each minor when they accepted a ticket
    on  Volunteeripate .  This means you are required to complete this online, in advance.
  • Participants at Lakes of Fire who are 21 years and up will receive a wristband identifying them as
    such. You may not gift alcohol to those under 21!

GATE RULES

  • Please remain in your vehicle to help us get you in safely and quickly.
  • All vehicles are subject to search.
  • Firewood (except sold by the landowner) is not allowed.
  • Fireworks, Chinese lanterns, weapons, illegal substances, handheld lasers, and trampolines are not allowed.
  • Think twice about bringing glass, glitter, or feathers.  Lakes of Fire asks that you minimize the amount of glass containers you bring to the event.  Glass is heavy, bulky, and breakable.  Glass shards are a serious LNT concern!
  • “Service Animals” as defined by the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) may accompany a disabled owner – All other animals, including pets and emotional support animals, are prohibited and will be turned away at the Gate without admission. please pre-register your service animal by emailing ADAanimals@lakesoffire.org so that we can best accommodate your circumstances and simplify the entry process. Please see our service animal policy for further details.
  • At Gate you must report the sound equipment you have with you, even boom-boxes.
  • Exit and re-entry, i.e., “ins and outs”, are only allowed in cases of emergency. If you must leave the event early, your wristband will be removed at the Gate and you will not be allowed re-entry.
  • In case of emergency, re-entry will be allowed on a case-by-case basis and you will be allowed to keep your wristband on and to re-enter the event.

Once you are past the Gate, stretch your legs, get out, and hug a Greeter. They know everything!

PARKING AND UNLOADING

While Lakes of Fire has ample parking available, carpooling with friends, family, camp-mates, or random strangers is highly encouraged. After you get through Gate, you’ll be given two hours to unload your vehicle at your camp location before your car needs to be returned to and parked in the lot. ALL VEHICLES MUST BE PARKED IN THE PARKING LOT. ANY VEHICLE PARKED INSIDE THE EVENT (i.e. past Greeters) WITHOUT PROPER PERMISSION IS SUBJECT TO BEING TOWED AT THE OWNER’S EXPENSE AND THE OWNER/DRIVER MAY BE EJECTED. Save everybody some trouble and just park in the lot- it’s not that far and it’s not worth getting towed. You’ve been warned.
While unloading, you must keep your vehicle off the road – specifically, your vehicle must be behind any flags, sprayed lines, and/or numbered site markers at all times. Our roads are legally-required fire lanes which must be kept clear at all times.

You MAY NOT camp in the parking lot.

VEHICLE CAMPING AND TOW POLICY

Lakes of Fire is primarily a tent-camping event. Car camping is a VERY limited accommodation made for those VERY few with a legitimate medical necessity. If you have a legitimate medical necessity and wish to camp in your car, you must apply for a Camped Vehicle permit found on the Key Dates and Forms page.
This is not a Moving Vehicle permit. You may not drive your vehicle once the event begins.
ANY VEHICLE PARKED INSIDE THE EVENT (i.e. not in the parking lot) WITHOUT PROPER PERMISSION IS SUBJECT TO BEING TOWED AT THE OWNER’S EXPENSE AND THE OWNER/DRIVER MAY BE EJECTED.

RVs: There is no special area at Lakes of Fire for RVs to camp – an RV is either a part of a theme camp or finds a spot in open camping. There are no hookups of any kind available for RVs.

AT THE EVENT

  • Please see our Code of Conduct policy for details on expected participant behavior.
  • Only registered Moving Vehicles, bicycles, emergency and administrative vehicles are allowed to cruise around. Drive very slowly ( 5 mph) or DMV will sternly condemn you. Joyriding, or any other misuse of any vehicle is grounds for eviction from the event
  • Ice and firewood are available for sale at the trailer across from the Nexus in the Center Camp area. More details on firewood and ice will be available as we finalize this on the new property. 
  • In the spirit of Decommodification, there will be no other sales or concessions of any kind at Lakes of Fire.
  • Respect the art and artists at Lakes of Fire by only modifying artwork with the permission of the artist. If you see someone vandalizing artwork, ask them to stop or inform a Ranger if necessary.
  • Abide by all relevant local, state and federal laws. If you see law enforcement officers, be friendly. Lakes of Fire cooperates with all local, county, state, and federal officials.

CONSENT

Radical self-expression can take many forms, and that can often take the form of a really sexy costume or even nudity in varying degrees — but what’s important to recognize is that none of that is an invitation to anyone to invade someone’s personal space, or make physical advances.

What is consent?

Sexual consent is an agreement that requires people are of legal age, are properly informed, are not under coercion, and are not incapacitated. The consent model holds that one person proposes an action and the other gives permission for it. Consent is the bare minimum required for legal and ethical sexual activity.

There are a lot of things that do not imply consent. Sexy costumes are not consent, nudity is not consent, being drunk is not consent, being underage is not consent, being asleep is not consent, and being too scared to resist is not consent.

Consent may be withdrawn at any time. If you have agreed to start something and find that it feels wrong to you, you have the right to stop it, and your partner has the obligation to honor your change of heart. Losing the ability to say “No” through intoxication also withdraws consent.

Nudity, skimpy clothing, or even raunchy behavior is not an invitation to have sex or any form of intimate physical contact. The only invitation is a clearly spoken invitation. The bottom line? Just be cool by respecting other people’s bodies and personal space.

For a really good explanation of how consent works, check out this great video.

Please see our Code of Conduct page for more details.

PHOTOGRAPHY

  • Lakes of Fire is a private event and we expect participants to approach photography respectfully.
  • There is no filming without express permission. Ask first.
  • You have the ultimate responsibility for your image and should ask photographers or videographers how your image will be used.
  • Our guidelines are found here: Photo Policy.
  • No drones, except the previously approved Effigy drone, are allowed.

CAMPING

Theme Camps are given clearly marked camping spots. Open Camping placement is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please be mindful not to block the pathways!

Porta-Potties are set up around the lake. Only the 3 Ps are allowed in the Porta-Potties: Pee, Poop, and Paper. No wet wipes, tampons, plastic or any other objects! “Please do not poop in the forest or pond/stream” – Skennedy

If you’re not used to camping, you can find information on what you need for Radically Self-reliant camping on this Camping Checklist. Failure to bring what you need will be a bummer for you.

Please be responsible about your tent stakes and ropes in order to prevent drunken burners (possibly yourself) from unnecessary wounds. Illuminating guide wires and ground stakes are highly recommended.

  • All generators must have a sound baffle.
  • DO NOT run electrical cords across roads or walkways or “trench” electrical wires.
  • All structures, including tie downs, must be inside the campsite markers.

Remember that while Open Camping is quieter than the rest of Lakes of Fire, no place at the event is quiet before around 4 in the morning or after 10 am. Some theme camps run music at a lower volume over the entire weekend. Please see the Sound section for specific rules.

There are no lifeguards – swim at your own risk. Bikes are welcome, and there are several trails and dirt roads on the premises.

CAMPFIRES

  • Theme Camps: Fire rings or fire on the ground is NOT allowed, but elevated burn barrels are allowed. FAST requests that all fire, other than cooking stoves, be placed on the road/path side of your camp and not put in the middle of your camp with tents and such surrounding the your fire piece. We request, as always, that any open fire (flame effect or burn barrel) have a fire extinguisher in close proximity to the fire in case of an emergency. But please, not right next to the fire.
  • NO fire is allowed in open camping except for small propane cook stoves.
  • All structures must be at least 12 feet away from any fire rings and burn barrels, and burn barrels must be raised on concrete blocks.  Keep this in mind when setting up your camp, as DPW will remove rings and barrels that violate safety rules.
  • Only burn materials that are non-toxic and burnable (your plastic, cigarette filters, and cans are NOT safe to burn).
  • Campfires and burn barrels must either be actively attended or completely out (cold to the touch) when unattended.
  • You must clean up your campfire  (ash, wood, and all) before leaving.  All leftover firewood is considered MOOP! You can do one of three things with it: take it with you if you live in the state, bring it to the peninsula to be burned with the effigy on Saturday afternoon, or bring it to where the land owner sells wood and stack it neatly in his wood shed. You can not leave it for LNT to clean up.
  • Please Leave No Trace and respect the environment.

EFFIGY

Lakes of Fire’s Effigy Burn is the pinnacle of the event; the Saturday night inferno around a large wooden sculpture designed and built by a hard-working crew of Effigy volunteers. Please honor this art by not intentionally damaging, defacing, or burning it. Do not smoke or use open flames nearby. Participants may leave memories and non-destructive thoughts on the Effigy. For more information on the Effigy, please see your WWW.

The tentative time for Effigy burn on Saturday night is 9:00 P.M., but varies based on weather and other factors. Please see the WWW for current information on Burn time.

FIRE CONCLAVE

Fire Conclave is a major fire performance put on by approved performers at the Effigy in advance of the burn. Want to add your passion and special flare to Conclave? Want to spin fire and shake your booty with your friends at the base of the effigy just before it burns?

If you answered, yes, AWESOME! Everyone is welcome to be a part of Conclave. Click here for more information and to sign up.

If you have questions, please email conclave@lakesoffire.org for more information.

CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY

Lakes of Fire’s site in Luther, MI. Comply with any reasonable request that law enforcement, your organizers, your hosts, or their employees make of you. Failure to do so is grounds for removal from Lakes of Fire, and that’s way less of a good time.

LEAVE NO TRACE POLICY

The Lakes of Fire community respects the natural environment and is firmly committed to the Leave No Trace principle. This means that we must leave no physical trace of our activities at the event location or in the surrounding community and that wherever possible, we endeavor to leave those spaces in better condition than we found them.

As a good steward of the natural setting and the principles of Burning Man, we ask that you help keep the site as a whole clean by picking up any Matter Out Of Place (M.O.O.P.) that you encounter during the event. We also ask that each participant be intentional about what is packed into Lakes of Fire to avoid creating unnecessary messes.

To prevent MOOP before it happens, we suggest removing packaging from food and personal care products where possible and leaving “moopy” items like feathers, glitter, sequins, and other small objects at home. If you smoke, please bring a portable ashtray for your cigarette butts. Gifting items to other participants is strongly encouraged! When making gifts, however, please consider the potential footprint they might leave. Please bring enough trash bags and other waste receptacles to take all of your trash and recycling all the way home with you. It is very important participants do not dispose of garbage at rest stops, gas stations, etc. in nearby towns. Lastly, Leaving No Trace also means preserving anything natural to the environment that you may find in the woods. Please do not disturb wildlife or remove rocks, flowering plants, etc.

It’s everyone’s job to Leave No Trace.  If you have questions about LNT-related topics, feel free to stop by the Nexus during the event or email lnt@lakesoffire.org.

SOUND PROTOCOLS

Lakes of Fire respects the needs and regulations of the communities surrounding the event. Some of your music may travel beyond our perimeter and into these communities. Therefore, we must limit high-powered sounds to reasonable hours. Basic sound rules are listed below but may be subject to change.

Excessive sound is the single most likely reason that law enforcement officers will visit Lakes of Fire.

  • All sound equipment 100 watts or larger must be registered and permitted, via Volunteeripate, as a Lakes of Fire theme camp before the event.
  • Please report the sound equipment you have with you at the Gate upon entry, even if it’s just a boombox.
  • Please respect the community and the volunteers, the Sound Squad (Rangers, Organizers, and Sound Team Volunteers), working to help keep this policy in place.  If they ask you to do something, please do it.
  • Grave yard shift workers do NOT issue warnings. If your subs are on at all, or you are over the db limit after 4am any night of the event, you will receive a strike and not a warning.   
  • The Sound Squad will be monitoring and working with sound camps throughout the event. Failure to comply with their requests will be grounds for removal. If the police arrive with noise complaints, they may be directed toward camps that are violating sound policies. Please protect the safety and success of Lakes of Fire by complying with all sound restrictions when they are in effect.
  • All violations (STRIKES) will be logged in volunteeripate. AFTER A THIRD STRIKE, YOU LOSE SOUND PRIVILEGES THIS EVENT AND WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR PLACEMENT THE FOLLOWING EVENT.
  • Measurement will be done by a handheld meter w/ C weighting. We tested several apps at the 2014 event, and found SPLnFFT? for iOS to be extremely accurate. The sound squad highly recommends you use this app, if possible, to manage your own sound to keep infractions minimized. When working with Sound on site, they can also test your sound for you.
  • All measurements that are done for compliance are done 40 feet from the source of the sound. Check turn down times for appropriate DB levels.

 

TURN DOWN TIMES:

  • WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY: 2 AM: At 2 AM, Subs must be off and DBs at or below 85 Wednesday and Thursday. 
  • FRIDAY:  2 AM: At 2 AM, Subs must be off and DBs at or below 90 Friday. 
  • SATURDAY (BURN NIGHT):  3 AM TURN DOWN: At 3 AM, Subs must be off and DBs at or below 90 Saturday.

 

TEMPLE QUIET HOURS

  • SUNDAY MORNING: 6AM TURN OFF: At 6 AM, All sound systems should be turned OFF for temple burn Sunday Morning. Sound may resume at 10 am following the Temple Burn. 

 

Finally, the rules are our attempt to keep the peace and manage the madness, but they are no substitute for common sense and being a good neighbor. Please, work to be a good neighbor. We love large sound and want  as much as possible, while also being aware it is but one facet of this brilliant event and we only have so much space to share. Regardless of what a hardware decibel meter says, if you are consistently a problem to the participants around you, you may find yourself disinvited from Lakes of Fire in the future.

Sound Permits

Sound Permits are now managed electronically through Volunteeripiate, no more physical permits to stamp. Large scale amplified sound systems require advanced registration, boomboxes and bluetooth speakers and other things typically allowed at campgrounds are allowed without a permit– with the caveat you be a decent neighbor.

Early Entry with Sound

Select volunteer teams and theme camps may have early entry. As we have not taken full possession of the land and will be co-existing with other campsite customers at that time, please respect the sound policy and limit music to boombox levels prior to gates opening at noon on Wednesday. Exceptions for testing equipment during setup is permitted, with the expectation you be courteous, and comply with the sound team/board’s direction. Violating the sound policy pre-event may not only jeopardize your sound permit but your ability to obtain early entry in future years as well.

MUTANT VEHICLES

Mutant Vehicles and Art Cars are the crazy mobile art you see rolling around during Lakes of Fire. Owners are responsible for the use and behavior of the vehicle at all times – misuse of any vehicle is grounds for eviction from the event. If you are planning to bring a Moving Vehicle to Lakes of Fire you must pre-register with the LoF DMV.

If you have any questions, visit the Department of Mutant Vehicles page.

HEALTH & SAFETY

Our proud volunteers in yellow are our Emergency Services Department. All of our Medical Team volunteers are trained and certified Healthcare providers, many with EMS and ER experience. They’re on hand to triage and treat most any medical problems or injuries or assist with wayward fires or participants.

Mental Health volunteers will be available as needed. A Sanctuary will be provided for those who need a quiet, calm space where you can speak to someone or take a breather.

The ESD Tent will be clearly marked on the Lakes of Fire map. Seek help at ESD directly, or we can come to you. Please ask an on-duty ESD volunteer or Ranger if you need medical or mental health assistance.

If you have a pre-existing medical condition that you feel may become a problem during the event, please inform a campmate and inform the ESD Medical Team. If you have any questions, feel free to approach any on-duty ESD volunteer. For more specific examples of what ESD can and can’t do for you, check out this page.

Emergencies Involving 911

ESD volunteers are also your portal to off-site medical care locations. While you have the right to contact 911 directly, please try to route the request through a Ranger or an ESD Team volunteer so we can remain “in the loop” and facilitate it. If you need to be evacuated to a hospital or wish to travel to one yourself, contact ESD Medical. We will provide information or assistance to get you to the local hospital or Urgent Care Center.

Safety Basics

  • Lakes of Fire is a 101-hour outdoor event. You’re expected to rely on yourself for all your basic needs. Please prepare for rain, wind and other extreme weather. Failure to do so may result in way less of a good time.
  • If you’re severely allergic to bee stings or bug bites, please take the appropriate precautions. A once-over check for ticks before you leave is a good idea, too.
  • Intoxicants and water don’t mix. Alcohol makes it far likelier that you will drown if you enter the water. Always take a friend and don’t swim alone. Play safe, please.
  • We encourage self-reliance in all situations, but some medical precautions are in place, including a volunteer medical team and an on-call ambulance if needed. Please help us to help you by bringing a basic first-aid kit with each group and knowing how to use the contents.
  • ESD Medical encourages you to bring your prescription and over the counter medications and use them appropriately. ESD does not dispense medication to participants.
  • A burn can be an intense experience, and preparing mentally can be just as important as physical. Check out Nowhere Burn’s Emotional Survival Guide: https://www.goingnowhere.org/event/survival-guides/
  • Please consider wearing something that lights up or is highly reflective at night, and step out of the way of cart traffic that may come from in front or behind. While we have a strict speed limit, it does not apply to carts traveling in an emergency. If you aren’t helping to be seen, please walk on the side of the road instead of down the middle.

Rangers: Here to Help

Lakes of Fire Rangers are first and foremost citizens of Lakes of Fire. They help to preserve the safety, welfare, and quality of experience of our community while supporting participants. They are burners and participants just like you – they are not “law enforcement.” You can spot LoF Rangers by their all-khaki outfits with the Ranger logo and their Ranger hat!

Pairs of Rangers can be found circulating the event 24/7, helping out as needed. They carry radios to access additional resources such as Emergency Services (Fire & Medical) and are trained to mediate disputes.

Rangers do prefer that you practice radical self-reliance first and ask for help second – but participants are encouraged to ask for assistance when they need it.

If you’re interested in joining the ranks of the LoF Rangers please check out the Rangers page.

Parenting at Lakes

It’s a wonderful thing to have kids at Lakes Of Fire, but you have to prepare them and be prepared yourself. Lakes of Fire is a family event that welcomes participants of all ages. Little burners under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, both at entry, and at all times during the event.

You are responsible for the welfare of minors in your care. It’s your responsibility to determine how much of it your li’l burners are exposed to.

Failing to supervise minors in your care adequately is your fastest ticket out of Lakes of Fire, as you will be immediately ejected without exception or recourse.

Let your kids know in advance about the kind of things that they will or might see and hear. Nudity, iconoclastic art, sexuality, rude language, cultural commentary, and weird behavior are all a part of any Burn. Talk to them about common-sense safety – advise them to be cautious about getting too close to aggressive art, destructive robots, moving vehicles, and playing in ash heaps or burn scars.

Babies cannot consent to the bangin’ tunes at a sound camp – you may want to consider earplugs or noise-blocking earmuffs if you’re going to be hanging out by the fat stacks.

For more tips on negotiating bringing your children to a Burning Man event, please see this informative page on BM.com.

Fire Performance Safety

Fire is a spectacular part of our event when done safely and in a controlled manner. The Fire Art Safety Team (F.A.S.T.) requires that you contact us first regarding fire spinning performances, fire sculptures, flame effects and open fires. All physical fire art requires prior pre-event signup. All fire art requires inspection on-site, which may require a phone interview to discuss your art and safety plan. F.A.S.T. members don’t bite – they limit risk and prevent friends from getting hurt.
A fire safety training is hosted every year onsite. This training is geared towards fire performers (spinners and breathers), but all are welcome. There are typically two trainings, one on Friday and one on Saturday. Please check the WhatWhereWhen for the locations and times. If you plan on participating in the Fire Conclave performance preceding the Burn (which you should!) you must attend an LoF specific fire safety training.

Fire Spinning

All participants are welcome to spin fire at their own risk, as long as proper safety procedures are followed. More info is found here.

Departments on Site

THE ART HUB

The Art Hub is located in the Nexus, by center camp, and functions as a check-in center for artists invited to the event by the Art Hub team and Art Grant recipients, as well as a hub of information about art. You’re welcome to submit the Art Registration Form in advance of the event!
When you arrive, stop in at the Art Hub to make sure your art is registered so others can find it.

DPW

Preparing for our special madness is the job of the Department of Public Works. DPW soldiers provide the infrastructure, know-how, and elbow grease necessary before any art can work or ponies can sparkle. Or at least before we stop for whiskey.

DPW reminds you that if it’s not yours, don’t mess with it. Things put in place by LoF DPW — especially signage, fire rings, and safety barriers — are there for reasons that may not be obvious to you.

EXODUS

All participants except for select volunteers must be off the property by 3:00 P.M.

Please make sure to Leave No Trace of your campsite and try to pick up anything you may find along the way. We know trash is not a fun traveling companion, but it is vitally important that everything you pack out ends up at your own home, NOT on the side of the road or in private dumpsters!

If you’d like to help the Leave No Trace team on Sunday, and potentially beyond, please sign up for a designated exodus shift in Volunteeripate or come to the FunctionJunction on site.

Thank you for reading and for your participation! Don’t forget that Lakes can only be the incredible experience it is with YOUR help. Looking forward to seeing you at Lakes of Fire!