Even for Burning Man, this was quite a scene

THE NINE-DAY festival drew attention due to an unexpected birth, a reported death and severe dust storms.

- By SALVADOR HERNANDEZ

THE NINE-DAY festival drew attention due to an unexpected birth, a reported death and severe dust storms. Julie Jammot AFP/Getty Images

Burning Man, the eclectic desert festival known for its art, music and spirit of “self-expression and self-reliance,” wrapped up one of the strangest annual celebrations in memory with a major dust storm, an unexpected birth, and an as-yet-unsolved slaying reported amid the festivities.

Known for drawing tens of thousands of visitors to the desolate Black Rock Desert in Nevada, about 120 miles north of Reno, the nine-day festival has a reputation for introducing the unexpected to revelers, and this year seemed to be no exception.

The event started out with its challenges right off the bat, as a major dust storm knocked down tents, damaged art installations and forced organizers to temporarily close the event gates and a nearby airport.

The intense winds reportedly injured four attendees and damaged some of the pieces of art displayed in what is known as Burning Man Playa.

The strong gusts also brought down Burning Man's famous Orgy Dome, an enclosed, air-conditioned, —4,000-square-foot structure with mattresses and dozens of volunteers who monitor that all attendees are ofage, sober and with a partner.

SFGate reported that when the dome was brought down by the winds, a whiteboard was posted in its place, notifying visitors that it had been damaged, and that organizers were working to erect it once more.

“We got f— too hard,” the sign reportedly read. “We need help to reopen.”