Chris Rock says Burning Man toilets can’t be cleaned or emptied

With access in and out of Burning Man closed for the time being, a new dire problem has arisen: No one can clean or empty the portable toilets. Among others, comedian Chris Rock, who appeared to be at the festival, pointed out the problem. The issue will likely only get worse with upwards of 70,000 people currently sheltering-in-place. 

“From what I understand, because of the flooding, the port-o-potties reportedly can’t be emptied. And because the gates are closed, people can’t get in to fill generators or deliver supplies,” wrote Rock in an Instagram story that has since disappeared but was circulating around social media. 

The Guardian also noted the “weather-related disruptions have caused suspension of the cleaning and emptying of thousands of portable toilets.” 

A video post on TikTok showed user bryfreeman216’s experience treading through ankle deep mud to make it to a port-a-potty, only to find more mud on the inside. 

The situation was bad enough that Rock decided enough is enough. After hiking five miles in the mud to get out of Burning Man, the comedian, along with friend and DJ Diplo, was picked up by a fan, according to a post on X, formerly Twitter.

After rains turned the playa into a mud pit on Friday (Sep. 2), organizers closed Burning Man’s gate and airport, halting access to and from the festival. Just before noon on Saturday (Sep. 3), organizers announced that access to Black Rock City was closed for the remainder of the event. Wet weather is expected to persist through the weekend.