A 60-year-old tourist from New Hampshire sustained second- and third-degree burns after straying off designated paths over a geothermal crust in Yellowstone National Park. The individual was subsequently airlifted to a medical facility in Idaho.
According to a statement from Yellowstone National Park, the woman, whose identity has not been disclosed, was visiting with her husband and their leashed dog near the Mallard Lake Trailhead at the Old Faithful area when the incident occurred on Monday.
While traversing a thermal zone, she inadvertently stepped onto a fragile crust covering scalding water, resulting in burns to her leg. Fortunately, her husband and dog were unharmed, as noted in the park’s report.
Following the incident, the couple sought assistance at a park medical clinic, where staff assessed her condition and arranged for her transport via helicopter to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center.
The park’s statement emphasizes the importance of adhering to established boardwalks and trails in hydrothermal regions and exercising utmost caution. It warns that the ground in these areas is delicate and can be perilously thin, with extremely hot water lying just beneath the surface.
Additionally, the statement reminds visitors that pets are prohibited on boardwalks, hiking trails, backcountry areas, and thermal zones.
The incident is currently under investigation, and the park has not released further details or images.
This incident marks the first recorded thermal injury in Yellowstone for the year.
In a similar context last year, a man from Michigan faced criminal charges in August 2023 for traveling off-trail after suffering thermal burns.
It is crucial to note that not only is off-trail travel illegal, but the thermal pools in Yellowstone can reach dangerously high temperatures and possess acidic properties, posing significant risks to visitors. In August 2022, a man, later identified as a tourist from Los Angeles, encountered a similar situation.
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