News from the Gerlach Tourist Bureau - August 2021

[some seeing eye]

The mighty Gerlach is not without its charms and charming people. They even have a tourism bureau and chamber of commerce!

It's http://visitgerlach.com which may also be found on the farce of boo/GOGerlachOutreach/ whence arrives this public service announcement from the mighty Cindy. Thanks!

"What is Gerlach doing to prepare for the end of August Burner visitor surge, you ask? Here are the answers! I will add to this as I find out more. I'm still waiting to hear from our local propane company as to whether they will be open and what hours might be.

Your questions were....
Private water Sales?
Ice?
Trash Drop Off?
Medical Treatment and Transportation? Helipad?
Communications Relay from Playa to Emergency Services?
Towing and Lockout services?
Mechanical or Tire Repair?
Fuel Services Gas, Diesel, Propane?
Overnight Accommodations?
Trailer RV Rentals?
Rides or Transportation?
Prepared Food?

MEDICAL -
Resources will be slim. Be safe out there and take care of yourself in every way possible.
There may be a few medical camps on playa. Learn where they are ahead of time.
You can always shorten your stay or reconsider coming out.
Gerlach Fire Station- They are understaffed and are uncertain whether they will have any ambulance service during the dates of August 23 through September 7. They have only one ambulance assigned to them. Always Call 911 first. Gerlach has asked that if they have access to transportation, that you meet them at the paved road on Highway 34.
Nixon Fire Station - Only servicing emergencies from Highway 80 exit 43 to mile marker 50 on Highway 447. Call 911
- Fernley Renown Urgent Care- This is the closest healthcare facility to the Playa. 80 miles south of Gerlach.
- E. Reno urgent care facilities – Vista Blvd., and USA Parkway Urgent Care off I-M80.
- Renown Hospital in Reno is the Regional Trauma Center for the Reno area.
- Pharmacies- The closest pharmacies are Walmart and Walgreens in Fernley.

ICE -
- Empire Store is taking pre-orders for ice. Email [email protected]. She will take your order and let you know how to pick it up. We do not know the cut off date for orders. ORDER early. Empire Country Market’s phone number is 775-557-2145.
- High Rock Pizza will also be selling ice behind the old hotel at the Oasis.
- Bruno’s gas station and local businesses will have some ice. Remember they have a business to run and need their ice for customers.

WATER -
There will be NO water sales in Gerlach for 2021.
- Black Rock Rentals in Empire will be selling water. Bring your own jugs or containers. They can not deliver to you on playa.
-Way Out Here Water offers filtered Artesian Water. Potable bulk water is available at Duck Flat, NV. They are located 35 miles north of Gerlach on hwy 447, between mile markers 107-108. If you're coming in from Cedarville you can’t miss them. For more information go to www.wohwater.com, or 775-224-3884.

PUMP OUT SERVICES - There are no services available this year.
In case you didn't know Gerlach has a natural evaporation sewage plant, not a mechanical one. Our plant uses nature to dissolve and evaporate our waste. We are not set up for the chemicals used in portable toilets. Besides, Gerlach has never provided this service.
- Black Rock Rentals in Empire will have a “GRAY WATER ONLY” dumping area. You will have to drive to Empire for this service.
- Iveson Ranch has RV and Porta Pottie dumps as well. $50. Per RV. Take a right at 12 mile exit and it’s about 4.2 miles after you hit the gravel road. It’ll be on your left just past Black Rock Farm, state route 34, Gerlach NV.

TRASH DROP OFF -
-Gerlach will NOT be taking trash. Pack it in, pack it out.
-Black Rock Rentals in Empire will be taking trash at $5. a bag.
PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE YOUR TRASH ANYWHERE IN GERLACH!

PROPANE SALES -

REPAIRS, TOWING and LOCKOUT SERVICES
- Bruno’s gas station has a mechanic and tow truck.
Phone # 775-557-2272.
- There is no Lockout service in the Gerlach/Empire area. Please have an extra key made and placed somewhere on the outside of your vehicle. If you have to call for lockout service they will have to come from Fernley, Fallon or Reno. If you have ON STAR there is the possibility that you have no internet connection for them to assist you.

OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATIONS -
- Bruno’s is booked solid. You can always call and ask.
Phone # 775-557-2220.
- The closest lodging is in Fernley.
- Do not camp or park overnight in Gerlach.
- NO camping in the Water Tower Park in Gerlach.

PREPARED FOOD
- Bruno’s Restaurant offers inside dining. To go orders are available. # 775-557-2220
- High Rock Pizza will be open daily for lunch and dinner, starting August 25 through September 7. They are located at the OASIS, outside the old hotel, 405 Main St., in the alcove accessed through the driveway. There is parking out back.
- Miner’s Club is kid friendly from 7am to Noon. They have breakfast sandwiches, bagels, breakfast burritos, croissant melt, pizza. Beat the heat with a nice cold fruit smoothie, frappe or an iced coffee! They also have water, sodas and energy drinks.
Open evenings for cocktails starting at 5 pm to ???
- Hog Head Grill Food Truck is located behind the Miners Club. Serving Tacos, Burritos, Indian Tacos, and other delights like ice cream!
- Empire Country Market has a deli, grocery supplies, 24 hour gas and ICE!
- DON’T depend on them to feed your entire group.
- DO patronize them if the wait time and timing works for you.
- PLEASE be patient and courteous to the locals.
- PLEASE Dress appropriately. No one wants to look at that while they are eating.

PETS.
Leave your pets at home! There are no pet sitting services in Gerlach. Playa paw is real and hurts our furry friends. Many pets have spooked and run off over the years and succumbed in a miserable way. Hot springs can be lethal. If you love your pet, leave it home.

BATHROOMS - BYOB.
- Bruno’s gas station has a bathroom but Gerlach’s sewer system can not handle it all. Don’t be surprised to find it closed to the public during this event. They also have a laundromat.
- If you need to use the restroom there are Porta Potties located at the OASIS.
Please buy something while you’re there.
- There is a BLM bathroom 1 mile outside of Gerlach by the BLM station on the hill to your left, when you leave Gerlach.
- Please DO NOT potty in front of someone's house.
- It is illegal to poop and pee on the playa. You know what to bring and do. Bring a potty bucket, jugs, and bags. Don’t depend on someone else's porta pottie. If you're towing one...use it!

DON’T TRASH GERLACH!
- Gerlach WILL NOT be taking trash!
DO NOT pile your trash at the Gas Station! In the laundromat! Or leave it at the side of the road! You MUST take your trash and human waste with you.
- Dispose of grey/blackwater properly. There will be a GRAY WATER ONLY dumping station in Empire, across from the store. Easy access.
Do not abandon anything in town.
Pack it in. Pack it out!

OTHER RESOURCES
Friends of Black Rock High Rock at 320 Main Street offer information on the surrounding area, free maps and expert travel advice.
- It is prohibited to drive in the dunes surrounding the NCA. Drive on the flat portions of the playa only. The dunes are habitat for many species. Respect the land.

I hope this helps you all. If there is anything else, I will try to get the answer for you.
SWAG is always appreciated!!"

http://visitgerlach.com/watering-holes-we-got-em/

[scriptorpress]

I will not be out there this month, but this looks VERY helpful for those who will be! I will share it where I can! Let's all!

[The Rod]

GREAT post! Thanks some seeing eye!

Looking forward to seeing how this epic shit show shakes out…

[Simon of the Playa]

fools go where angels fear to tread

[some seeing eye]

The Dixie Fire and the Beckworth Complex fires are affecting the air quality in the playa-Gerlach-Empire area.

The fires are affecting many people's homes and all the fire crews too, obviously.

There are many red sky photos coming out of the Gerlach area now. Your N95 or P100 replaceable filters on your respirator are a good idea, as well as the best cabin air filter available for your vehicle.

You can keep track of fires on Inciweb. https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/

The best source of smoke & air quality information is:

https://fire.airnow.gov/

Fly Ranch and the Burning Man property at 255 Main in Gerlach have consumer "Purple Air" monitors which are updated in real time to the US Air Now website.

Keep track of road closures:

https://nvroads.com/
https://dot.ca.gov/travel
https://tripcheck.com/ (Oregon)

This is twilight, brimfire and Hellco are back. Daytime it would just be murky and smell like smoke.

20210805 Gerlach.jpg

[Simon of the Playa]

The sun will be turned into darkness
And the moon into blood
Before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes.

Gerlach Sunset Aug 7.
photo by Will Roger.

9F6B2699-F2CD-40E4-84EE-7FF557ECF13B.jpeg

[some seeing eye]

Yep. https://burningman.org/event/preparatio ... ch-webcam/

[Ballpark]

I sure hope that clears up by the 26th.

[Simon of the Playa]

C33C64F8-9252-4C31-9436-88B4BF862D92.jpeg

[some seeing eye]

I sure hope that clears up by the 26th.

I think yesterday they said 21% contained. One forecast predicts contained by August 20 which seems unlikely. Once it is contained, that does not mean it has stopped burning and is no longer producing smoke.

Thus Inciweb, the Gerlach web cam, and the air sensors to follow it day by day in planning a vacation.

[Jackass]

The Dixie fire (and many others) unfortunately won't be over until REAL rain comes in, there isn't enough water or people to contain the blazes otherwise. Last year the "really bad" fire activity in California hadn't even started until just before and even worse after Labor Day weekend, they've got a much bigger head-start this year...

I do hope I'm wrong.

[Simon of the Playa]

F702B162-ABF3-4486-82AD-01B4357383C9.jpeg

[Molotov]

Simon Says: Altamount East

[Simon of the Playa]

739EFA63-5A97-4F4D-A673-186E8EA27D2B.jpeg

[Ballpark]

I wish they would clean on the lens of the Gerlach webcam.

[some seeing eye]

(There is an effort underway to see if a live stream is possible from the playa. Too early to say it is possible, or will actually work)

The Dixie Fire is within 8 miles of Susanville, obviously they are trying to prevent it from getting there, but the residents have been warned to be ready to evacuate.

The electric companies are authorized to turn off power to prevent wind-driven power line contact with vegetation, or power lines can be wiped out by fire.

Watch your road closures, watch your Inciweb above.

This update from the Washoe County Sheriff on the book of farce:

With 2021 Virtual Burning Man beginning this Sunday, Washoe County Sheriff’s Office deputies who work in Gerlach decided to take a look at the Playa.

The first photos are at 8 Mile Entrance to the Playa – normally the main entrance to Black Rock City. Usually from this vantage point you can see the Selenite Mountain Range rising above the Black Rock Desert.

The third photo shows County Road 34 on the left, 12 Mile Entrance in the distance, and the mid-horizon on the right is typically where Black Rock City is erected.

For anyone considering heading out to the Black Rock Desert in the near future beware of the:
• Smoke
• Lack of formal infrastructure (no contracted law enforcement, no porta potties, no medical services)
• Cell reception is spotty
• The nearest Trauma-II hospital is 141 miles away and a 3+ hour drive

The Bureau of Land Management yesterday published temporary restrictions that are in effect until October 31, 2021. Click the link below for the details:
https://www.federalregister.gov/documen ... Mkmk0w1TCQ

#ProudSheriff #virtualburn2021 #burningman2021 #burningman #blackrockcity #playainfo

2021 Renegade 8Mile#1.jpg

2021 Renegade 8Mile #2.jpg

2021 Renegade Rd34.jpg

[coastalflyer]

I have one of these, which enables your iPhone to send texts or emails even without cell signal or wifi. Cost is $199. Monthly service fee is $20 but you can turn it off when you're not using it.
https://www.zoleo.com/en-us/satellite-communicator/

[Simon of the Playa]

true then as it is today

[some seeing eye]

In a continuing attempt to make ePlaya the best source of burn info compared to the farce of boo and read it, which is part of media giant Advance Publications:

"The occupancy rate of Staffed hospital beds is at 91% in Washoe County" - August 20, 2021

So if you get seriously hurt at the Renegade, the ER is going to be backed up with contagious Covid patients and hospital beds short.

Follow https://covid19washoe.com/all-press-releases/ as part of your tourist bureau information stream.

[BBadger]

"The occupancy rate of Staffed hospital beds is at 91% in Washoe County" - August 20, 2021

So if you get seriously hurt at the Renegade, the ER is going to be backed up with contagious Covid patients and hospital beds short.

But hey, you might have a better chance getting a hospital bed there than in Oregon at the rate it's going.

[Simon of the Playa]

wet spot.

8AD995A0-B6DF-43ED-99DF-711AC3D137B9.jpeg

[The Rod]

AQI at home today is much worse than Gerlach..

[lucky420]

School was cancelled in Washoe county today due to smoke and some warehouses sent employees home early. . Washoe county declared it a stage 3 stay the fuck indoors emergency today. The big smoke is coming from th Calder fire just west of south Tahoe along hwy 50. It’s over 100,000 acres and I think just 5% contained last I heard today.

Dixie is over 700,000 but is at 40% contained. Most of today’s smoke choke came from the Caldor fire.
Depending on containment, fuel (there’s a shutting of fuel there) and the winds, the playa may see a lot of smoke or not so much. That’s my prediction and I’m sticking to it

*AQI in my neighborhood was 420 this morning for real though. The lowest it’s gotten today is 276. Back at 300 right now

my heart aches for all those that have lost so much

[some seeing eye]

Pyramid Lake Tribal Message - read and understand if you are passing through their land on 447

2021 Renegade Pyramid Tribe.jpg

[Simon of the Playa]

bring your milk crates...

56EF9F9E-3884-4B3A-88F9-295D65F0A066.jpeg

[some seeing eye]

More suggestions from the book of farce plan of B paraphrased

Beware thieves visiting the campout to steal stuff. It happens at the big burn with a controlled gate. No gate this year.

As you explore the far playa and hot springs, don't get lost.

The Gerlach campout is a 100% consent required zone and a 0% tolerance zone for sexual assault of anyone able or unable to give consent. Nevada law is much stricter on sexual assault and unwanted touching than other states.

Have fun!

[Simon of the Playa]

0BBE43B0-7D67-4DEA-861D-36093E9CAD67.jpeg

[some seeing eye]

If you are traveling, beware the Covid situation you are traveling through and act accordingly.

Many of the counties and towns along the way are Covid vaccine- & mask- resisters. And some of those areas are in a rapid case increase time which will still be continuing in severity on your exodus.

If you catch it inbound, the incubation period may make infection apparent at the burn. Have a fever thermometer. If you are not previously vaccinated, or have preexisting conditions, GTFO to real medical care. There may be a Humboldt medical tent in Gerlach.

Also don't get into a car accident. You will be going into an emergency room filled with Covid, and there may not be a bed available at all.

Those burner N95 and P100 masks are going to be many times more effective on Covid than the standard paper or fashion masks. Bring that hand sanitizer.


More from lovely Gerlach's Tourist Bureau

Good afternoon Gerlach! We are on the verge of Renegade Man. Lots of people say they are coming to the desert. Our weather prediction for the next week is high's in the 90's with overnight lows down in the 50's, smoky with high winds Monday and Tuesday. The desert is in bad condition so expect big dust storms. Make sure you have everything staked down and remember when the wind comes up you had better take the top off your shade structure if you want to use it again. High winds will twist that shade canopy into a mass of crap that you still have to take home.

Things to look for once you arrive.

EMPIRE COUNTRY MARKET: 775-557-2145
Deli is open for sandwiches! Call ahead to place an order or come in! We have new inventory.. Camping, coolers, potting soil, cleaning products and more!
Gas Station is open 24-7!
Empire Store is taking pre-orders for ice.
Email [email protected]. She will take your order and let you know how to pick it up. We do not know the cut off date for orders. ORDER early.

BLACK ROCK RENTALS:
Empire, NV across from Black Rock Mini Storage
Open August 28-September 11
*Water fill station
*Water tanks
*Gray Water - only place to dump your GRAY water!
*Trailer fill
*Trash Service - only place to dump your trash!

NO TRASH SERVICE IN GERLACH! PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE YOUR TRASH AT THE GAS STATION OR ANYWHERE BUT EMPIRE!

BRUNO'S COUNTRY CLUB:
They have indoor dining and the best burgers in town!
To Go Orders Available - 775-557-2220
Monday - Thursday 10am - 9 pm
Friday - Sunday 8am - 9pm
Restrooms are for paying customers. Take the time to eat!

MINERS CLUB.... Kid friendly during the day!
Breakfast sandwiches, bagels, breakfast burritos, croissant melt, pizza. Summer is here! Beat the heat with a nice cold fruit smoothie, frappe or an iced coffee!
We also have water, sodas and energy drinks.
Whippets sold here.
Open for cocktails too!
Starting August 25 - September 7 - hours are from 7am-???.
We have the only "MALL" in town!
Local Crafters display their craft items here!
Hats, quilts, lamps and much more.
We also have new and used items for sale!
New items show up daily. If you are cleaning out your closets or
your garage, bring your gently used items to sell.
COME AND BROWSE THE SHELVES!

HIGH ROCK PIZZA: 775-561-4147.
Open daily at the Oasis from 11am-9pm for lunch and dinner starting August 25 - September 7. They are located at the OASIS, outside the old hotel, 405 Main St., in the alcove accessed through the driveway. There is parking out back.
We will stay open later if there are customers.
High Rock is also selling 20lbs of ice starting at 10am - 9pm.
MECO is selling water from the Oasis parking lot starting at 8am…

JOE'S GERLACH CLUB:
Open's everyday at 5pm. We have the only pool table and slot machines so come in, have a drink and stay a while. We also sell frozen burgers, chicken sandwiches and will have some ice for sale.
Stop in and visit the local businesses.

FYI... Highway 447 is “OPEN RANGE” meaning there will be cattle on the roads. Slow down and keep your eyes open. Remember there is NO PASSING on solid double yellow lines! Be safe!

Please be advised, both the GGID office
and the Transfer Station will be closed
on Labor Day 9/6.
Have a great weekend! ...C

[some seeing eye]

From the Internet

Reno Local here:
Please be aware that Truckee and Reno area traffic is very congested today.

All of South Lake Tahoe is under evacuation order, putting a hundred thousand-plus people into the local hotels and on the local roads.
Routes 50 and 88 are closed through the Sierra. I-80 is congested with evacuation traffic as is US395/I-580. Mount Rose Highway is an evacuation route, as is US 50 from South Lake Tahoe to Carson City. Stay off these roads.
If you are intent on attending the camping trip and you’re coming from the west or south, please get your supplies before driving to the eastern Sierra.

That means: shop for your supplies locally if you can, not in Reno.
Reno/Carson City is going to be a stressed out town logistically and otherwise for the next week.

[burner von braun]

...
...That means: shop for your supplies locally if you can, not in Reno...

That's a great point SSE!

I imagine the very same necessities that renegade campers need are exactly what evacuees will also require most.