An entrance sign along U.S. Highway 212 at the northeast entrance into Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming.Photo:Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
A Michigan man is facing a ban from Yellowstone National Park after wandering into the hydrothermal area of the park and suffering burns while “under the influence of alcohol or drugs.”
According to anews releaseshared Thursday from the U.S. Department of Justice District of Wyoming, Jason D. Wicks, 49, was arraigned in federal court on Wednesday.
Wicks is facing “criminal charges of off-trail travel in a Yellowstone National Park thermal area and being under the influence of alcohol or drugs to the degree he was a danger to himself or others.”
He pleaded not guilty to the charges, per therelease.
Until the charges are resolved, Wicks is banned from Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. A trial date is yet to be set.
Crested Pool, a hot spring in Yellowstone National Park. Hot springs are common hydrothermal features in the park.Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images
Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images
In astatement, Yellowstone National Park officials said, “The ground in hydrothermal areas is fragile and thin, and there is scalding water just below the surface. Therefore, everyone must remain on boardwalks and trails and exercise extreme caution around Yellowstone’s thermal features.”
The park’swebsitealso states that “hot springs have injured or killed more people in Yellowtone than any other natural feature,” and the water can cause “severe or fatal burns.”
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View of the ‘Crested Pool’ hot spring in the Yellowstone National Park. Hot springs are common hydrothermal features in the park.MARK RALSTON/AFP via Getty Images
MARK RALSTON/AFP via Getty Images
Sharing advice for those visiting Yellowstone, the website adds that visitors shouldn’t touch or swim in the hot springs, throw objects into the water or allow their children to run on boardwalks. Pets are also banned in the hydrothermal areas of the park.
“Toxic gases may accumulate to dangerous levels in some hydrothermal areas. If you begin to feel sick while exploring one of our geyser basins, leave the area immediately, the website added.
The incident comes after a tourist wascaught on video at Yellowstone earlier this monthholding a young child while standing dangerously close to a bison.
The clip was filmed at a distance and it’s unclear when the video was taken, or whether the men knew they were being filmed.
source: people.com
