Overview

• A 42-year-old Belgian tourist suffered full-thickness burns after losing his flip-flops in Death Valley's Mesquite Flat sand dunes.
• The ground temperature at the time was around 160 degrees, causing severe burns to the man's feet.
• Park rangers and other visitors helped carry the man to safety, but a helicopter couldn't land due to the extreme heat.
• The man was eventually transported by ambulance to a higher elevation where it was cooler and a helicopter could safely land.
• Experts warn visitors to avoid walking on sand during peak heat and to stick to shaded or cooler areas.