Another Off-Trail Thermal Burn in Yellowstone National Park

Montanans' views of careless out-of-state tourists probably just got scorched again.

Oddly enough, this is the first incident of its kind during the 2024 tourist season in Yellowstone National Park. But the ever-present likelihood of it occurring continues to make us wonder, "what were you thinking?"

But first and foremost, we certainly hope this person is going to be okay.

The National Park Service reports that on September 16, a 60-year-old woman visiting Yellowstone from Windsor, New Hampshire, reportedly suffered second and third-degree burns to her lower leg while walking in a thermal area near Mallard Lake Trailhead at Old Faithful.

The NPS says the woman was walking off-trail with her husband and their leashed dog (another no-no) in a thermal area when she broke through a thin crust over scalding water and suffered burns to her leg. The husband and dog were not injured.

The woman went to a park medical clinic for evaluation, and she was later transported via helicopter to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls for further treatment. Park officials had no further information to share about her condition.

APPARENTLY PARK OFFICIALS CANNOT OVERSTATE THIS

Visitors are reminded to stay on boardwalks and trails in hydrothermal areas and exercise extreme caution. The ground in these areas is fragile and thin, and there is scalding water just below the surface. They should never be underestimated. The information that can be found here really helps you understand how dangerous they can be.

Pets are prohibited on boardwalks, hiking trails, in the backcountry AND in thermal areas. Further details from YNP about pet regulations can found here.