Fire Performance

Welcome fire spinners! However you plan to participate in fire performances at Saguaro Man, at our fire jams or as part of the Burn Night Performance, you’ve come to the right place. Be sure to read through this page thoroughly to ensure you don’t miss any important information. In the first section, you’ll find everything you need to know about fire spinning at Saguaro Man. The following section contains important information and steps for those interested in participating in the Burn Night Performance.

Want updates? Sign up for our email list! If you’d like to be added to the Fire Guild listserv please email flame@azburners.org

Table of Contents
– When and where we’ll be spinning fire at Saguaro Man
– Fire Spinning 101 Workshop
– Burn Night Performance
– AZ Fire Performance Council

When and where we’ll be spinning fire at Saguaro Man 2027

With all the excitement about the land, we’re sure you’re wondering what these changes will mean for fire spinners. We’re happy to report we will be spinning fire this year!

Friday
- Partner Flow Workshop 11:30am-12:30pm
  - Day props only (no fire)
  - Come learn partner flow moves for the burn night performance!
- Fire Spinning 101, 7-8pm
  - Props and fuel available
  - Wear fire-safe clothing (Natural fibers, hair braided or secured under a hat/scarf)
- Burn Night Performances 8:40pm – 9:00pm
  - Please arrive at the main burn area 8:00pm
- Fire Jam 9:30pm – 11:00pm
  - Bring your props, fuels, and duveys!
Saturday
- Burn Night Performance 8:40pm – 9:00pm. Please arrive by the main burn area by 8pm
  - Please arrive at the main Burn Area by 8:00pm

Additionally, members of the Fire Guild can spin in the open playa anytime, so long as they follow the Fire Safety Guidelines. Learn more at Orientation!

If You Wish to Spin Fire at Saguaro Man 2027

The following is required of ALL Fire Spinners and Fire Safeties at Saguaro Man. These requirements have been created to keep performers, other community members, and the land our event calls home safe. Thank you for doing your part to ensure that we will all be able to continue to share fire performance with our burn community at future events.

1. Membership in the ARP Fire Guild:

To participate in spinning fire at Saguaro Man, all fire performers and fire safeties must join the Arizona Regional Productions (ARP) Fire Guild.

All fire spinners and fire safeties will need to sign a new contract at Saguaro Man during orientation before spinning or handling fire. This also means that anyone can join the Fire Guild onsite at Saguaro Man!

By joining the Fire Guild, fire spinners and safeties will have liability coverage under the event insurance. The event insurance is only liability insurance, meaning it will cover damage you might cause to other participants, property, or the land while participating in fire performances. The event insurance DOES NOT cover injury/harm to yourself. We recommend that you carry your own health insurance in case of injury to yourself.

Saguaro Man event leads put a lot of work into getting this deal with the insurance carrier. Without this insurance, every fire performer would have to carry their own insurance (a cost of $400 a year) to spin fire. Instead fire spinners get FREE liability insurance. Do your part to to help us keep this unbelievable deal by adhering to all of the rules laid out in the contract.

2. Fire Performer Orientation:

Location: Great Balls of Fire!! (theme camp)

Days & Time: – Daily, Wednesday to Saturday 5-6 PM

Come to Great Balls of Fire at the hours listed above for orientation if you plan to spin fire or be a fire safety. You must attend the fire performer orientation before engaging in fire performance.
Bring your props, Duvetyne/fire blankets, and fire extinguishers for inspection!
Once you have completed the fire performer orientation and signed the new contract you will receive a fire performance wristband. Wear your wristband anytime you plan to spin fire so leadership knows you’ve completed all of the above.
You can find information on fire safety created by the Flow Arts Institute here:https://flowartsinstitute.com/safety-training/

3. Sobriety:

You must be sober to spin fire or safety at Saguaro Man.

This means you cannot be under the influence of drugs, alcohol, and/or mind-altering substances at any time while engaging in fire performance activities.
The use of drugs, alcohol, and/or mind-altering substances impairs judgment and coordination, significantly increasing the risk of injury to yourself, others, and property during fire performance.
Violation of this policy will result in expulsion from the ARP Fire Guild and the inability to spin fire at Saguaro Man.

4. Fire Safety:

You must prioritize fire safety in all aspects of your fire performance practices. This includes but is not limited to:

Utilizing only approved fire fuels (white gas and lamp oil) and props appropriate for your skill level and intended performance.
Maintaining all equipment in good working order. Be sure to check equipment for loose or worn parts before you light up.
Bringing your own fuel and being responsible for your property. This includes the sharing of props and fuel.
Having access to a fire extinguisher and knowing how to use it effectively.
Always having a designated fire safety present and sober to monitor your performance and assist if needed. Your fire safety must have a Duvetyne fire blanket or wet towel to extinguish props or performers quickly.
Knowing the location of medical and ranger headquarters. In the event of an accident during fire performance, immediately alert appropriate safety personnel.
Performing only in designated fire performance areas. Approved performance areas for all events will be determined by the Fire Team and Event Organizers(ARP), with input from the AZ Fire Performance Council.
Never perform directly on flammable surfaces or under flammable structures.
Keeping fuel containers closed at all times. Fuel containers must be 50 feet from the performance space.
Immediately reporting any safety concerns or equipment malfunctions to the AZ Fire Performance Council and cease performance until the issue is resolved.
No charcoal or sparkler effects.

5. Underage Performers

Fire performers under 18 years of age must have a parental legal guardian present anytime they are performing.

6. Code of Conduct:

You must uphold the ARP Fire Guild’s Code of Conduct, which promotes professionalism, respect, and inclusivity within the fire performance community. This includes conduct at events, performances, and interactions with other fire spinners and the public.
Unprofessional behavior, discrimination, or harassment toward others may result in disciplinary action.
As members of the fire-spinning community, we uphold the principles of Burning Man as guiding values for our practice. These principles are the foundation of our interactions, performances, and contributions to the community. Adhering to this code of conduct ensures a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all participants.

7. Disciplinary Action:

Fire arts leadership and the AZ Fire Performance Council reserve the right to take disciplinary action against any participant who violates the terms of the ARP Fire Guild contract or poses a safety risk to themselves or others. Disciplinary action may include warnings, restrictions on performing, suspension, or expulsion from the Guild.

Fire Spinning 101 Workshop

By popular request, we’re bringing Fire Spinning 101 to SM 2027! Tell your fire-curious friends!

Location: main Burn Area
Day & Time: 7:00pm – 8:00pm

We’ll cover fire and fuel safety, how to dip and spin off, how to extinguish props, and we’ll guide participants through lighting up for the first time.

Bring any props you’ve been waiting to try out and fuel! Wear fire safe (natural fiber) clothing. We’ll have dip cans, duvetynes, fire extinguishers, some props, and fuel.

Participants must have their fire performance wristband to participate.

Volunteer Opportunities

We believe in Radical Participation! There are three ways to volunteer with the Fire Performance Council. You could be a fire safety or dip station attendant for the fire jams and/or burn night performance. Or you can perform on the burn nights!

Fire Safety
- Hold a duvetyne and watch fire spinners to keep them safe
Dip Station Attendant
- Monitor the fuel station and refill dip cans
Fire Performer
- Spin fire in the burn night performances

All our volunteers must join the ARP Fire Guild and attend the fire performer orientation on-site.

All our volunteers must join the ARP Fire Guild and attend the fire performer orientation on-site. Volunteer hours may qualify you for a “returning volunteer” discount at the next event. For details, see the Volunteering page.

Burn Night Performances

We’ll gather in the burn area to perform with fire and bring together the burn community on Friday and Saturday night before the art burns. Burn night performances are open to all fire performers and safeties who would like to participate! As a performer you can:

We also encourage you to volunteer at Saguaro Man as a fire safety for the fire jam or burn night performance. Check back here or the volunteer page before the event to sign up for shifts. Email flame@azburners.org for the password to sign up. Volunteer hours may qualify you for a “returning volunteer” discount, at the next event. For details, see the Volunteering page

1. Prepare a duet or group piece

We are looking for duets or troupes to perform fire performance pieces. If you have a group that would like to participate, fill out the “Submit your troupe” form by April 20th, 2027. Keep an eye on the AZBurner social media pages for others organizing a troupe for the Burn Night Performance in your area. Only one “Submit Your Troupe” form needs to be submitted per troupe or duet.

Fire performers may also prepare partner flow moves at the Partner Flow Workshop at the Great Balls of Fire theme camp Friday 11:30am-12:30pm

2. Participate as a freestyle fire spinner

If you’d like to freestyle in the Burn Night Performance be sure to sign up at the Fire Performer Orientation on-site!

Arrive at the Temple by 8pm on Friday and/or Saturday

Arrive at the burn area by 8pm with your fuel, dip can, and props to participate.

Writing Choreography for Saguaro Man

Choreography 101 Slideshow

See sections on transitions and choreography style for inspiration.
Choreography 101 and Finding Inspiration

Burning Man Conclave Audition Videos:

See the following Burning Man Conclave audition videos for inspiration

Expected Saguaro Man 2027 Burn Night Performance Choreography

10 minutes total of combined group choreography and freestyle
Two or more performers should be performing at all times
Transitions should be smooth and thought out
Troupes of all sizes are welcome!

Fire Safety Rules for Burn Night Performance

At least one fire safety per (3) adult performers. One fire safety for each underage performer. Underage performers must have a parental legal guardian present.
Unconventional and/or homemade props must be inspected and approved by the Fire Performance Council before use. Please email inquiries to flame@azburners.org
No flame throwers, charcoal, or sparkler effects.

AZ Fire Performance Council

The AZ Fire Performance Council is responsible for coordinating the Burn Night Performance and overseeing fire spinning safety at AZ Burner events. The AZ Fire Performance Council includes Jackrabbit, Dr. Panda, Sam Loraxx, and PsyFire.You can reach the AZ Fire Performance Council at flame@azburners.org or at the Great Balls of Fire!! theme camp at the event.