Skip to Content

Prevention in Action – Lessons from Yellowstone: Severe Thermal Injury Underscores the Need for Awareness and Caution

Monday, August 11, 2025

Earlier this month, a 17-year-old visitor to Yellowstone National Park suffered significant burns when his foot broke through a thin crust near the Lone Star Geyser, exposing him to scalding thermal water. The teenager sustained serious injuries to his foot and ankle and was hospitalized. This marks the first known thermal injury at Yellowstone in 2025, with water temperatures that can exceed 185°F.

The incident is a stark reminder of the importance of public education and prevention, one of ABA’s core pillars. While thermal environments like geysers are rare, burns from hot liquids, surfaces, or outdoor hazards remain all too common.

ABA remains committed to expanding national burn prevention awareness, supporting legislation, and sharing tools that save lives. We encourage all members to:

Share ABA’s burn prevention resources in your communities

  1. Advocate for safety in recreation, work, and home environments

  2. Reinforce the importance of following designated trails and warning signs

  3. Explore and share ABA resources at https://bit.ly/aba-resources 

  4. Help ABA spread the word: Prevention is care.