Authorities are investigating the death of Aaron Joel Mitchell, 41, who broke through a two-layer security perimetre during the Man Burn event in which a giant, wooden effigy is set ablaze.
Mr Mitchell ran into the fire about 10.30pm Saturday local time before he was rescued by firefighters and was airlifted to UC Davis Firefighters Burn Institute Regional Burn Center in California.
He later died from his injuries on Sunday morning and his family have been told of his death.
Nevada's Pershing County Sheriff Jerry Allen estimated about 50,000 people were present when the festival's crew of firefighters pulled Mitchell out of the blaze.
"We don't know if it was intentional on his part or if it was just kind of induced by drugs. We're not sure of that yet," Sheriff Allen said.
"People try to run into the fire as part of their spiritual portion of Burning Man.
"The significance of the man burning, it's just kind of a rebirth, they burn the man to the ground, a new chapter has started. It's part of their tenants of radical self-expression."
Burning Man organisers are working with police and other agencies in their investigation to find out what happened.
The organisers said in a statement they had cancelled burns throughout Sunday but would go ahead with the 8pm temple burn - another signature event that signals the end of the nine-day festival in the Black Rock Desert, about 870km north-west of Las Vegas.
They are offering emotional support counseling on site, saying in a statement: "Now is a time for closeness, contact and community. Trauma needs processing. Promote calls, hugs, self-care, check-ins, and sleep."
Known for eclectic artwork, offbeat theme camps, concerts and other entertainment, Burning Man began in San Francisco before moving to Nevada in 1990.
Over the years as the event grew in popularity, deaths and crime have been reported, ranging from car crashes to drug use.
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