Thousands of Burners head through Reno-Tahoe International Airport on way to Black Rock Desert

The Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) was a very busy place Monday as most of the 20,000 people expected to fly in for Burning Man 2019 passed through on their way to the Black Rock Desert.

Attendees to the annual event (known as Burners) were greeted at the airport RNO's therapy dogs, Paws for Passengers, who wore costumes for the day to bring smiles to arriving Burners.

Welcome activities are taking place all week at Air Playa Info, a welcome area staffed by local volunteers dedicated to assisting Burners.

Burning Man is the single biggest event each year at RNO where attendees bring in approximately $11 million in economic impact for the airport and the region. Burners from 34 countries will be at the week-long event.

Travelers and visitors at the airport will also see a one-of-a-kind Burning Man art exhibition in Concourse C through mid-October. It has been curated by Burning Man Co-Founder Michael Mikel.

Besides the airport, Burners are also passing through the region by vehicles, campers, and buses. On Sunday, traffic heading to Gerlach and the Black Rock Desert was held up for several hours after a fatal crash on Washoe County Highway 34. The driver of a pickup truck, 61-year-old Lonnie Richey of Carson City, crossed over the center line into the path of an RV. He died at the scene and two from the RV were treated on scene for minor injuries.