A 60-year-old woman from New Hampshire suffered third-degree burns while walking in a thermal area near Mallard Lake Trailhead at Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park on Monday. She was walking off-trail with her husband and dog when she broke through a thin crust above scalding water, resulting in second and third-degree burns to her lower leg. She was airlifted to a medical center in Idaho after being treated at a park medical clinic. This incident marks the first known thermal injury in Yellowstone this year. Visitors are reminded to exercise extreme caution in hydrothermal areas by staying on designated boardwalks and trails, as the ground is thin and scalding water is just below the surface. Pets are prohibited in such areas as well. The incident is currently under investigation. This incident comes after a hydrothermal explosion in July that sent visitors running for safety, and actor Pierce Brosnan being fined for standing in off-limits thermal areas. In August 2023, a Michigan man was charged with federal misdemeanors for burning himself in a thermal area while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The National Park Service continues to emphasize the importance of following safety guidelines to prevent accidents and injuries in Yellowstone’s unique natural environment.
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Woman sustains third-degree burns after straying into thermal area at Yellowstone National Park
