The Aspen Fire began June 17, 2003, started either by accident or intention. Because of a drought, the fire moved rapidly.
Top photo: The remains of Cabins and Cookies seen two hours after the Aspen Fire raged through Summerhaven in June, 2003. (David Sanders/Arizona Daily Star). Bottom photo: As it appears in June, 2013, rebuilt and renamed the Mt. Lemmon Cookie Cabin. (A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star)
- Arizona Daily Star
The view on Sabino Canyon Parkway, looking north from the Alpine Lodge (at left). Top photo: Taken 1975 (Tucson Citizen). Second photo: Taken in 2003 during the Aspen Fire while structure crews evacuate Summerhaven as the fire burns out of control. (David Sanders / Arizona Daily Star). Third photo: Taken days after the fire burned the Alpine Lodge. (David Sanders / Arizona Daily Star). Fourth photo: The view in June, 2013. The Lodge was never rebuilt. (A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star)
- Arizona Daily Star, Tucson Citizen
Top photo: A chimney stack is all that remains as an undamaged home is in the background near the intersection of Phoenix Ave. and E. Carter Canyon Road in Summerhaven one day following the Aspen Fire in June, 2003. John Mulay's A-frame cabin, background left, was untouched by the fire. (David Sanders / Arizona Daily Star). Bottom photo: In June, 2013, the chimney has been demolished and the cabin was not rebuilt, but Mulay's A-frame is is there. (A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star)
- Arizona Daily Star
Top photo: A lone vehicle makes its way past the entrance to the Prison Camp on the Catalina Highway in July, 2003, as ghostly remnants of oak, manzanita and other plants, stick out of the charred, moon-like ground as a result of the Aspen Fire. (A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star). Bottom photo: Evidence of the fire is not apparent in June, 2013. (A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star).
- Arizona Daily Star
Top photo: As the Aspen Fire bore down on Summerhaven in June, 2003, firefighters were evacuated to Box Camp trailhead, where they watched the fire consume the town. (David Sanders / Arizona Daily Star). Bottom photo: Not much has changed in June, 2013. (A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star)
- Arizona Daily Star
Top photo: The patio of the Mt. Lemmon Cafe shortly after the Aspen Fire burned through Summerhaven. The main restaurant building was saved. Bottom photo: The Mt. Lemmon Cafe is gone, replaced by the Sawmill Run Restaurant and its wonderful patio on a sunny day in June 2013. (A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star)
- Arizona Daily Star
Sabino Canyon Parkway and Turkey Run Road in Summerhaven, looking south. Top photo: Taken in 1975, shows the Mount Lemmon Inn, foreground right, which burned down in 1977, Mount Lemmon Realty, spared by the Aspen Fire and the Alpine Lodge, background center, which burned in the Aspen Fire. (Tucson Citizen file). Bottom photo: Taken in June, 2013, shows the new Mount Lemmon Community Center at right. (Photo by A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star)
- Arizona Daily Star, Tucson Citizen
Left photo: President George W. Bush speaks at Inspiration Point in August, 2003. (Aaron J. Latham / Arizona Daily Star). Right photo: A hiker walks in the steps of the President in June, 2013. The burned trees near the parking lot are gone (cut down for safety) and the forest behind is showing signs of life. (A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star)
- Arizona Daily Star
Tim Wolfer with Cozzetti Construction Inc works on the roof of a cabin along North Phoenix Avenue that was burned down in the Aspen Fire in June, 2003. New cabins have replaced some of the burned structures around Summerhaven and on Forest Service lands.
- A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star
A tree, stripped bare of bark and needles, stands along the Lemmon Rock Trail near the Lemmon Rock lookout as it sits on its rocky perch. The lookout at the time sounded the alarm of the fire which started in June 2003 then swept through the hamlet of Summerhaven and beyond.
- A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star
Scarring from the Aspen Fire is still apparent around Summerhaven in June, 2013, as bare spots and stands of dead trees are visible from Inspiration Point. It also shows the difference between private and Forest Service lands. Dead trees were removed on private land and the Forest Service left the dead trees standing.
- A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star
Photos: The Aspen Fire: Ten years later
Summerhaven and the surrounding area ten years after the Aspen Fire devastated the community in June, 2003. The fire burned 84,750 acres and destroyed 335 structures.
Top photo: The remains of Cabins and Cookies seen two hours after the Aspen Fire raged through Summerhaven in June, 2003. (David Sanders/Arizona Daily Star). Bottom photo: As it appears in June, 2013, rebuilt and renamed the Mt. Lemmon Cookie Cabin. (A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star)
- Arizona Daily Star
The view on Sabino Canyon Parkway, looking north from the Alpine Lodge (at left). Top photo: Taken 1975 (Tucson Citizen). Second photo: Taken in 2003 during the Aspen Fire while structure crews evacuate Summerhaven as the fire burns out of control. (David Sanders / Arizona Daily Star). Third photo: Taken days after the fire burned the Alpine Lodge. (David Sanders / Arizona Daily Star). Fourth photo: The view in June, 2013. The Lodge was never rebuilt. (A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star)
- Arizona Daily Star, Tucson Citizen
Top photo: A chimney stack is all that remains as an undamaged home is in the background near the intersection of Phoenix Ave. and E. Carter Canyon Road in Summerhaven one day following the Aspen Fire in June, 2003. John Mulay's A-frame cabin, background left, was untouched by the fire. (David Sanders / Arizona Daily Star). Bottom photo: In June, 2013, the chimney has been demolished and the cabin was not rebuilt, but Mulay's A-frame is is there. (A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star)
- Arizona Daily Star
Top photo: A lone vehicle makes its way past the entrance to the Prison Camp on the Catalina Highway in July, 2003, as ghostly remnants of oak, manzanita and other plants, stick out of the charred, moon-like ground as a result of the Aspen Fire. (A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star). Bottom photo: Evidence of the fire is not apparent in June, 2013. (A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star).
- Arizona Daily Star
Left photo: Ash runoff from the Aspen Fire in June, 2003, fouls Sabino Creek in Marshall Gulch south of Summerhaven. (David Sanders / Arizona Daily Star). Right photo: Sabino Creek in June, 2013. (A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star)
- Arizona Daily Star
Top photo: As the Aspen Fire bore down on Summerhaven in June, 2003, firefighters were evacuated to Box Camp trailhead, where they watched the fire consume the town. (David Sanders / Arizona Daily Star). Bottom photo: Not much has changed in June, 2013. (A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star)
- Arizona Daily Star
Top photo: The patio of the Mt. Lemmon Cafe shortly after the Aspen Fire burned through Summerhaven. The main restaurant building was saved. Bottom photo: The Mt. Lemmon Cafe is gone, replaced by the Sawmill Run Restaurant and its wonderful patio on a sunny day in June 2013. (A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star)
- Arizona Daily Star
Sabino Canyon Parkway and Turkey Run Road in Summerhaven, looking south. Top photo: Taken in 1975, shows the Mount Lemmon Inn, foreground right, which burned down in 1977, Mount Lemmon Realty, spared by the Aspen Fire and the Alpine Lodge, background center, which burned in the Aspen Fire. (Tucson Citizen file). Bottom photo: Taken in June, 2013, shows the new Mount Lemmon Community Center at right. (Photo by A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star)
- Arizona Daily Star, Tucson Citizen
Left photo: President George W. Bush speaks at Inspiration Point in August, 2003. (Aaron J. Latham / Arizona Daily Star). Right photo: A hiker walks in the steps of the President in June, 2013. The burned trees near the parking lot are gone (cut down for safety) and the forest behind is showing signs of life. (A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star)
- Arizona Daily Star
Tim Wolfer with Cozzetti Construction Inc works on the roof of a cabin along North Phoenix Avenue that was burned down in the Aspen Fire in June, 2003. New cabins have replaced some of the burned structures around Summerhaven and on Forest Service lands.
- A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star
A row of rebuilt cabins line Fern Ridge, which is on Forest Service property.
- A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star
The foundation of a home near North Upper Loma Linda Extension in Summerhaven remains much the same after the Aspen Fire destroyed the town in June, 2003.
- A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star
This is a view of Summerhaven from North Phoenix Avenue in June, 2013.The fire which started in June 2003, burned through 84,750 acres and destroyed 335.
- A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star
New homes rise above the new tree line above the charred foundation of a home near North Upper Loma Linda Extension in Summerhaven that was not rebuilt after it was burned in the Aspen Fire.
- A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star
An abandoned truck and the foundation is all that remains of a bed and breakfast once owned by Char and Alex Carrillo on Upper Miami off East Carter Canyon Road.
- A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star
A tree, stripped bare of bark and needles, stands along the Lemmon Rock Trail near the Lemmon Rock lookout as it sits on its rocky perch. The lookout at the time sounded the alarm of the fire which started in June 2003 then swept through the hamlet of Summerhaven and beyond.
- A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star
Scarring from the Aspen Fire is still apparent around Summerhaven in June, 2013, as bare spots and stands of dead trees are visible from Inspiration Point. It also shows the difference between private and Forest Service lands. Dead trees were removed on private land and the Forest Service left the dead trees standing.
- A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star
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