BOZEMAN — A woman who illegally entered Yellowstone National Park on Tuesday was badly burned after falling into a thermal feature near Old Faithful.
Park officials say the woman was backing up to take a photo and fell into a thermal feature, though spokeswoman Linda Veress says it is unclear exactly which hot spring or other feature she may have fallen into.
The woman then left Old Faithful and drove north toward Mammoth. She was stopped by park rangers about a mile south of Mammoth Hot Springs, a drive which normally would take about an hour from Old Faithful.
Veress says that due to her injuries the woman was taken to the Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center by helicopter.
Park officials are continuing to investigate the incident. The woman's name has not been released; we do not yet know if she will be cited for the incident.
Last fall a man was burned near Old Faithful after he wandered off the boardwalk and fell into a hot spring near the base of the famous geyser. Several burning hot springs surround the base but cannot be seen from popular viewing areas, so visitors are seldom aware that the springs exist.
Yellowstone has been closed to visitors since March 30 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
JAN 9, 2020: Two men sentenced for walking near Old Faithful
SEP 13, 2019: 2 men caught walking too close to Old Faithful
AUG 17, 2019: Man walks within feet of Old Faithful geyser
