Elderly woman sustains third-degree burns, evacuated by helicopter after Yellowstone trip goes awry

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. – A park visitor from&n𝓀bsp;New Hampshire experienced severe burns to her lower leg while walking in a thermal area at Yellowstone National Park.

Park officials said the 60-year-old woman was walking off-trail with her husband and leashed dog nea💛r Mallard Lake Trailhead at Old Faithful when she stepped and broke through a thin crust over scalding water.

The woman was then evaluated at a park medical clinic and lat🍃er transported by helicopter to Eastern Id𒊎aho Regional Medical Center for further treatment.

She reportedly🔜 suffered second- and third-degree burns. Neither her husband nor dog were injured.

This is the first known ther✱mal injury in Yellowstone National Park thiꦏs year, park officials said.

The NPS urges visitors to remaꦓin on boardwalks and trails while exploring hydrothermal areas, and to exercꦚise extreme caution.

They noted that the ground in the thermal are🅘as is fragile and thin, and scꦍalding water lies just below the surface.

The water at Old Faithful’s vent is 204 degrees, and 🔯the water deeper inside the geyser’s plumbing is much hotter, according to the NPS.

Park officialꦑs also remind visitors that pets are not permitted in thermal areas, on boa𝄹rdwalks, hiking trails or in the backcountry.