The Rodeo-Chediski Fire in 2002

Scary sight: Morgan Zimmer, right, girlfriend Vanessa Plumb and Taylor Plumb prepare to evacuate their home in Linden.

The Aspen Fire in 2003

Part of the recovery effort from the Aspen Fire involved collecting some of the items that have been salvaged and are in widely varying condition.

The Aspen Fire in 2003

A burned car and the rubble of buildings show the fire's destructiveness along Summerhaven's main drag, where so many Tucsonans once enjoyed the mountain ambience.

The Aspen Fire in 2003

Dani Hayhurst holds a picture of the interior of one of her cabins before it was destroyed by the Aspen Fire. Dani and Pat Hayhurst lost two cabins, and rebuilding, for them, is a tribute to the past.

The Aspen Fire in 2003

The Aspen Fire consumes two homes close together near Phoenix Avenue and East Carter Canyon in Summerhaven.

The Aspen Fire in 2003

A chimney stack is all that remains of one house, while an undamaged home is seen in the background near the intersection of Phoenix Avenue and East Carter Canyon Road.

Morning blaze damages home on Tucson’s west side

Two neighbors were nearly overcome by smoke early Thursday morning when they entered a burning home to search for two people thought to be inside.

Man gets 4.5 years in Tucson burglary case

A 38-year-old burglar who was cornered by police for three hours in a Radio Shack’s ceiling space was sentenced to 4 1/2 years in prison Friday.

Tucson police arrest injured tot’s childcare provider

A childcare provider was arrested Thursday by Tucson police on suspicion of child abuse after bruises were found all over the body of a 3-year-old boy in her care.

Aspen Fire recovery

The cabins and homes rebuilding is starting in the Summerhaven area of Mt. Lemmon. Photo by Benjie Sanders/Arizona Daily Star, September 18, 2003.

Marana BTO frozen yogurt store closing today

BTO Yogurt in Continental Ranch is closing today.

Xeriscape paradise

A Trichocereus - the "Flying Saucer" - blooms in Mark Tylutki's yard. He converted his water-gulping landscape to a desert garden.

Xeriscape paradise

The front yard of Mark Tylutki's and Karen Campbell's Sam Hughes home has been converted from lawns to a colorful desert garden.

Xeriscape paradise

A hedgehog cactus (Echinocereus viereckii) blooms at Mark Tylutki's home.

Xeriscape paradise

An Echinocereus eachinopsis shows off its spring colors.

Xeriscape paradise

Harrisia jusberti is one type of night-blooming cereus.

Xeriscape paradise

Trichocereus is a popular cactus for use in desert landscapes.

Xeriscape paradise

"I absolutely get joy looking at it,''says Karen Campbell of the cactus garden. An orange Trichocereus is shown.

Xeriscape paradise

Mark Tylutki knows all of his desert garden babies by name. There is Trichocereus Flying Saucer, with a glorious pink bloom. There's tall and twisty Pedilanthus macrocarpus and Harrisia jusbertii, with stunning white blossoms that smell faintly of honeysuckle and vanilla.