Pierce Brosnan Due in Court for Entering Off-Limits Area in Yellowstone National Park
Pierce Brosnan has been summoned to a Wyoming court for allegedly walking into the dangerous and delicate—not to mention protected—hot springs of Yellowstone National Park.
The James Bond actor has been accused of venturing off the allowable path and trying to get closer to the thermals in the Mammoth Terraces, a hot springs area in Yellowstone National Park. He trespassed on November 1 by entering through the Cooke City/Silver Gate in Montana, one of the few roads that remained open during winter. He has since been mandated to attend a court hearing on January 23 with Judge Stephanie Hambrick.
The Mammoth Terraces is one of the most popular attractions in Yellowstone. The park is known for its constantly changing colors and natural activities. These thermal pools are divided into two terrace boardwalks—the lower and upper portions. All in all, the area is home to over 10,000 hydrothermal formations like hot springs and geysers. For safety reasons, not all of them are open to the public.
Federal rules indicate that the visitors of the national park should follow the designated walkways and should stay within the allowable areas. These rules are visibly posted online and throughout the park so people can be aware of the dangers and follow the rules. The park even warns tourists, “Hot springs have injured or killed more people in Yellowstone than any other natural feature.”
Failing to comply with these guidelines is punishable by up to six months of jail time and a fine of up to $5,000.
Pierce is the latest and probably the most prominent tourist who has tried to bend the rules and get a closer look at the pools’ stunning natural beauty. However, the strict enforcement of the park’s policies is important for the preservation of the natural environment and the welfare of its visitors. So far, at least 22 tourists have died due to burns from the park’s geysers and springs.
These casualties include Colin Nathaniel Scott who is believed to have dissolved in the acidic water after he left the boardwalk in 2015. A 70-year-old man named II Hun Ro also lost his life when a park employee found what little remained of him—a foot inside a shoe. In 2021, a woman from Connecticut faced one week of jail time, was given a fine of $2,000, and was banned from Yellowstone for two years after disregarding the walkaway’s limitations.
Last year, a video circulated online showed a couple who ignored the warnings and tried to touch the steaming hot geysers. As expected, a brief touch caused the woman to scream in pain.
Note that the temperatures of the springs at Mammoth Terraces can be up to 161 degrees Fahrenheit. Upon contact, the waters will cause instant burning and severe tissue damage.
After Pierce was charged with the violations, pictures surfaced showing the actor posing inside the restricted area. While it will be interesting to see how he chooses to respond, Pierce and his representative have yet to issue any statements concerning the events that transpired.
