‘Bond’ Actor Pierce Brosnan Cited for Violation in Yellowstone
007 is in hot water again - or at least a former James Bond actor is. Pierce Brosnan (GoldenEye/Die Another Day) recently decided to visit Yellowstone National Park while the actor was in the area to film his latest role in 'Unholy Trinity,' reports USA Today. During his November 1 visit, he found himself on the wrong side of the law after taking an illegal stroll on the park's famous geothermal hot springs.
Brosnan stands accused of violating the rule mandating that "foot travel in all thermal areas and w/in Yellowstone Canyon [be] confined to trails … and Violating closures and use limits," according to CNN. The offense falls under the 'petty offense' category. The actor appears before District Court Judge Stephanie Hambrick on January 23 in Mammoth, Wyoming. If found guilty, the charges can cost Brosnan up to $5,000, with the possibility of up to six months in jail.
Similar incidents of individuals walking on the thermal hot springs recur frequently in Yellowstone, despite the dangers of the hot springs and the risk of jail time. In April this year, Cory L. Skinner was charged with violating park regulations and walking on hot springs in the Old Faithful District of Yellowstone. Skinner received seven days of jail time, a $500 fine, and $1,250 in community service. In 2021, a Connecticut woman was sentenced to seven days of jail time and over $2,000 in fines and fees for the offense.
The Dangers of Yellowstone's Hot Springs
Walking on Yellowstone's thermal hot springs isn't just illegal; it's hazardous. The park's website warns that hot springs have "injured or killed more people in Yellowstone than any other natural feature," noting that more than 20 people have died from burns suffered from the park's hot springs.
Yellowstone National Park urges visitors to remain on boardwalks and designated trails near hot springs. Though hot springs may appear to have a safe, walkable crust around them, appearances can be deceiving. The crust can be fragile in some areas, and boiling water can burst through the ground if broken.
Walking on or too close to Yellowstone's hot springs can prove hazardous to your health. According to YellowstoneForever, the official non-profit partner of Yellowstone National Park, the waters of Yellowstone's hot springs can boil at 200 degrees Fahrenheit or even hotter.
Questions about safety in Yellowstone? Visit the Yellowstone Safety page here.