Rain at Burning Man festival in Nevada turns the desert into a muddy mess

BLACK ROCK CITY, Nev. (NBC, KYMA) - Rain at the Burning Man festival in Nevada has turned the dry lake bed there into a muddy mess, making travel difficult.

On Friday, rain forced organizers to temporarily close the entrance gates at the festival grounds known as Black Rock City.

People headed there were asked to delay their travel plans until it was safe.

The gates have since opened but drivers are being warned to watch out for wet spots.

The massive wooden effigy known as "The Man", for which the festival is named, is set to burn later Saturday evening.

In an unrelated incident, the festival announced on Thursday that a man died while attending Burning Man.

The festivalgoer was described as being in his mid-50's and had a medical emergency at the event.

The cause of death has not been released.