The Bullock Fire in 2002

An air tanker — one of 10 — drops fire retardant on the Bullock Fire. The slurry is a mixture of water, chemical fire inhibitors and crimson dye that shows pilots what's already been hit.

The Aspen Fire in 2003

Corona de Tucson and Three Points firefighters battle to save a house on Phoenix Avenue near Carter Canyon Road.

The Aspen Fire in 2003

Daniela Guerrero, 4, enjoys the playground equipment at First Avenue Elementary School as waves of smoke from the Aspen Fire blow over San Manuel, reducing the sun to a dim glow.

The Aspen Fire in 2003

An air tanker's retardant is spread ahead of flames early in the fire's progress. But the fire soon made such efforts look puny.

The Aspen Fire in 2003

As the Aspen Fire barrels up Marshall Gulch and through Summerhaven, a home on Phoenix Avenue falls to the flames – one of more than 300 structures destroyed. Losing them frustrated firefighters who were trained to save buildings but forced by flames to fall back.

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

Smoke from the Aspen Fire on Mount Lemmon is visible from miles away. This photo was taken from the east side of town.

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.

The Aspen Fire in 2003

Brenda Young and Sharon Brady watch the Aspen Fire from Two O'Clock Hill in Oracle, which firefighters shielded with fuel breaks and intentional burns.

Road to Mt. Lemmon closed

The road up Mount Lemmon is closed due to white-out conditions.

Mt. Lemmon: A busy mountain

Corona de Tucson and Three Points firefighters battle to save a house on Phoenix Avenue near Carter Canyon Road in Summerhaven during the Aspen Fire in 2003.

Aspen Fire recovery

The main foundation of the Summerhaven business called "Cabins & Cookies" burns as the Aspen Fire raged through Summerhaven Thursday afternoon. Photo by David Sanders/Arizona Daily Star, June 19, 2003.

Aspen Fire recovery

Crews from Corona de Tucson and Three Points Fire Department throwing loose debris into the fire as the fire moves toward a home in Summerhaven, as two large firewood piles burn in the background. Photo by David Sanders/Arizona Daily Star, June 19, 2003.

Aspen Fire recovery

Metal chairs and tables are all thats left of the Summerhaven business called Cabins & Cookies after the Aspen Fire rolled through the mountain top town. Photo by David Sanders/Arizona Daily Star, June 19, 2003.

Aspen Fire recovery

The sun rises through a smoke filled sky near Bear Canyon and Snyder Roads as smoke from the Aspen Fire burning near Sabino Canyon and on Mt. Lemmon filled the sky. Photo by David Sanders/Arizona Daily Star, July 3, 2003.

Aspen Fire recovery

A full engulfed home at the corner of Phoenix Ave. and Carter Canyon Road is consumed by flames as the Aspen Fire spreads through Summerhaven June 19, 2003. Photo by David Sanders/Arizona Daily Star.