A woman dies on her first day at Burning Man: 'Heavy hearts'

An investigation is underway into the death that occurred on the first day of the Burning Man festival in the northern Nevada desert.

A woman was discovered unresponsive in Black Rock City, a temporary city built for the festival, around noon on Sunday, prompting an emergency response from personnel.

Despite the efforts of the Burning Man Project's emergency services team, the woman's life could not be saved.

"The Burning Man Project has confirmed the death of a participant in Black Rock City, Nevada's Black Rock Desert. Our thoughts and condolences go out to the family and friends affected by this loss. We are fully cooperating with local authorities as they investigate this incident."

An autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause and manner of Sunday's death in Pershing County, and the results will be updated upon completion.

Kendra Frazer, 39, was identified by festival organizers as the woman whose name and age won't be released until her relatives can be notified, as stated by Allen.

The festival, which blends wilderness camping with a weeklong celebration of art, commenced on early Sunday after the gates were shut for 12 hours due to rain and muddy conditions.

Before the gates officially opened, an estimated 20,000 people were already on the playa.

The event, renowned for its vibrant theme camps, towering sculptures, drum circles, art cars, and avant-garde theatrics, has grown from a crowd of approximately 4,000 in 1995 to 50,000 in 2010, making it Nevada's third-largest city after metropolitan Las Vegas and Reno.

The 2023 Burning Man festival attracted an estimated 73,000 attendees, while an additional 95,000 people participated in regional events worldwide.

Since its relocation from San Francisco's Baker Beach to Nevada's Black Rock desert in 1990, about a half-dozen other deaths have occurred at the festival. Last year, a 32-year-old man from California passed away due to suspected drug intoxication after being discovered unconscious on the festival grounds.

Over the years, Burning Man has recorded various deaths, including a woman who was hit by a bus in 2014, an attendee who fell under a trailer in 2007, and a friend of Burning Man co-founder Larry Harvey who was killed in a collision with a van while riding his motorcycle at night in 1996.

This year's Burning Man event, which runs from Aug. 29 to Sept. 2, is expected to attract more than 70,000 attendees.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.