Black Rock City Fuel Program

Flaming Lotus Girls' MASSIVE propane tanks, 2009 (Photo by Caroline Miller)
Flaming Lotus Girls’ MASSIVE propane tanks, 2009 (Photo by Caroline Miller)

Tired of hauling gallons upon gallons of fuel to the Black Rock Desert? Concerned about keeping a large amount of fuel in your camp? Want to power your Theme Camp or Mutant Vehicle without having to worry about how? We have news for you! Black Rock City now offers a fueling program for Theme Camps and Mutant Vehicles at Burning Man!

In order to participate in the program please see the Fuel Program page on our website.

Chalk this one up to Communal Effort outweighing Radical Self-Reliance in Ye Olde Ten Principles … because y’know, there are just efficiencies to be had when we share resources. And sometimes that just. Makes. Sense.

About the author: Burning Man Project

Burning Man Project

The official voice of the Burning Man organization, managed by Burning Man Project's Communications Team.

23 Comments on “Black Rock City Fuel Program

  • Daniel says:

    Speaking of burning fuel hauling thousands of pounds of WATER if BM really cared about going green there would be a water program.

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  • Tony says:

    Fuel is fine, but what my camp really needs is to be able to buy food and alcohol at Burning Man. Every year, it’s such a hassle to bring everything we need out there, and we always run out of alcohol.

    Forget about fuel. Let’s set up some actual food stalls and maybe a restaurant or 2. I’ve got a LOY of money, but not enough time to cook and do everything else. Just an offer, entrepreneurs. Think about it.

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  • Donna Waterman says:

    Will there be an electrical plug available for me to recharge my CPAP battery? It usually works for four nights, but I’d like to be able to charge it.

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  • Tim says:

    Can’t tell if you’re being sarcastic Tony?

    If not, there are plenty of organizers who will take your money and build you a plug ‘n play camp for you and your wealthy friends to show up and put absolutely no effort into.

    Sad that radical self-reliance can now be paid for. I support BMOrg with this fuel program, but sincerely hope it isn’t a slippery slope to offering more and more amenities for sale on the playa.

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  • chief says:

    That is a great idea, lessening the chance of spills and such out on the playa. I’m guessing that you have folks who are knowed up on hazmat and storage and spill containment and that sort of infrastructure. I have mostly dealt with diesel but if I can help please feel free to contact me.

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  • cindy smith says:

    i have been there, u arnt to spend money there expect for ice, u barter for others. yes, whn coming from out of state ur limited. i wld like to c more showers there, so u need water. i had to run after the h2o trucks to shower as they were watering the playa.

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  • ObscureStar says:

    Fuel probably makes more sense than a lot of the other stuff since individuals hauling large quantities of it presents its own problems and I suspect you need a special license to transport it in large amounts. Also, one big fuel dump is probably safer in a city made of cloth than 2,000 little fuel dumps.

    Plus, if we want to be cynical, fuel is the show. It’s what brings in the spectator types. They don’t come to see Burners eat. Bigger show and BORG profits on fuel is a double-win for their finances. Seriously though, the first set of considerations seems reasonably valid.

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  • Pooh Bear says:

    Cindy. There is no bartering at Burning Man. It is a gift culture. Quite different.

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  • Pooh Bear says:

    A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of small minds – Emerson

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  • juju says:

    @Pooh Bear

    No bartering? Lots of bartering going on all the time out there. There’s a camp called, Barter Camp, where you can trade things for other things. If you need something and someone else has it, the polite thing to do is ask if you have something they need or want, and then give it to them in exchange.

    The whole gifting thing is really just about the trinkets people give away, and free drinks and food. When you need a tire for your art car, it’s best not to ask empty handed, as it’s considered a bit rude.

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  • Laura Lynne says:

    juju, that was not my experience. Last year was my virgin burn, had no idea what to expect even after reading the Survival Guide many times. Was gifted a few “trinkets”, yes…but most gifting was far more substantial and no one expected me to reciprocate with anything, much less something of equal value. Even when my vehicle (with a disabled permit) was running very low on fuel, all I did was put out the wish and I was gifted with 3 gas cans full of gas. Got me through the rest of the burn. No quid pro quo, no embarrassment for asking empty-handed. Ever heard of “pay it forward”? That’s what gifting is on the Playa.

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  • Jake says:

    @Laura Lynne

    It’s different for women. Most of the art cars are run by men. If you’re a woman who needs ANYTHING (especially an art car operator) the mountains will shift and the heavens will open and rain whatever you desire on your head. Butterflies and birds will fly down and fix your carburetor and replace your spark plugs, and even a ‘thank you’ is too much to offer in return.

    If you’re a guy (or guys) running an art car, there are different ‘rules’, a different code of conduct.

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  • Glowboy says:

    @Jake first of all, your description is absolute comedy. It is also very unfortunate how much truth there is in it. To me though, it is extra funny because my camp is primarily women, and every so often we get one of those females that knows of the female “rule” and they will wander their seemingly cute a$$ in to our camp and go straight for me to start “mooching”. The women in my camp will see this, and they all know that I’m hip to moochy females games on the playa, and as soon as I tell this little moochy playa bunny to go check with the camp down the way (there’s always a camp down the way on every block filled with horny perverts), all the women in my camp will high five me and start cracking up. Moral of this sad but all too true story, DONT BE A MOOCHY PLAYA BUNNY. ITS NOT CUTE…….AT ALL. I’ve been going since 2000, and back then it was super rare to see this, but now they are everywhere. It is about as tragic as not being able to walk down the streets smoking a joint anymore. It’s about as tragic as that Tony guy asking for food stalls and for people to sell alcohol for when they run out. I have a suggestion on that one…DONT DRINK SO UFCKING MUCH. THE PLAYA DRIES YOU OUT ENOUGH AS IT IS. As far as the fuel thing is concerned……….BRILLIANT!!!! Fuel is dangerous. Fucked up people and fuel is even more dangerous. Jus’ sayin’.

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  • alex segal says:

    Donna Waterman, there is the BRC Dimension of Mobility camp at Center & 7 which provides plug in CHARGING for mobility equipment and CPAP devices.

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  • Connie-Lynne says:

    The Alternative Energy Zone (AEZ) is also often willing to help out with charging equipment.

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  • Laura Lynne says:

    Jake and Glowboy – to clarify, I am NOT a playa bunny! I am a 57-year-old grandma with no intention of using my female wiles to woo a can of gas or anything else from anyone…doing so would be as much of a “barter” as offering cash. Those who gave me gas last year did so without any expectation of “attention” of any kind from me. What you say may be true for a subset of female burners, but not the population in general. I find your assertions very sexist and insulting.

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  • Jake says:

    @Laura

    You had the privilege of chivalry to take advantage of. Check your privilege. It doesn’t mean that those who helped you hoped for sex in return (although that is usually the case) it’s simply that you were a woman that you received benefit.

    A 57 year old grandpa would have a MUCH harder time coming by 3 gallons of gas. A bottle of vodka would have to be in hand to get that kind of effortless response for a man.

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  • Laura Lynne says:

    Ok, Jake – not quite so insulting, but still sexist. I mean, why can’t you guys be as kind to one another as you are to women?

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  • Laura Lynne says:

    And…Jake & Glowboy…you guys could start the trend…give to a man just as you would to a woman, no expectations of reciprocity…just paying it forward and see what happens!

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  • Adam says:

    A bit late to this party, but what I (and my camp) could really use more than gas fueling would be propane refills. If people think bringing a ton of gasoline is a pain, try bringing propane in an array of 100+lb tanks. If we had the option to just bring the tanks needed to run our stuff and could refill them on site that would be awesome.

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  • James Keeler says:

    I had a dream. There were massive cinder block, and plaster structures erected in Black Rock city. Inside of those structures were theme camps. It was like being in a labyrinth.
    All the people were happy burners. I thought it would be a shame to tear this all down at the end of the event.

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  • sharon jackson says:

    FANTASTIC IDEA….

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  • Panther says:

    I never thought I would see the phrase “Black Rock City-approved vendors” used in a legitimate context, regardless of the justifications.

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