Click here to return to Mt. Lemmon Photos
Aspen Fire Photos
The Aspen Fire burned 84,750 acres and destroyed more than 330 homes, cabins and other buildings -- 3/4 of the total community of Summerhaven, where Judy lived most of the year. Her cabin survived, thanks to Judy's tireless FireWise efforts around the cabin.
Judy Epstein took the following photos while on Mt. Lemmon as a Mt. Lemmon Fire Support personnel and firefighter before evacuating. Photos were taken on Thursday, June 19, 2003 in the early afternoon

These photos might helpful in comprehending the magnitude of what lead up to that hour when the fire riped through Summerhaven.

Thanks for your blessing and prayers for the loss sustained by this devastating fire to such a beautiful place.
At the Fire Station when time to leave...
The Mt. Lemmon
Fire Station
Looking back from the
sawmill where personal vehicles were parked
Minutes after the above photo, a progression of immediate camera clicks, one right after the other, taken in front of the fire station looking up the Control Road toward the Catalina Highway and Upper Loma Linda...
Photos from Inspiration Rock ... a safer distance and to the side of the black smoke
Nathan and Wendy anxiously waiting for Mike who went to get his dog
Inspiration Rock Parking Area
Views from Inspiration Rock
Hot Shots on top rock
Mike & Dennis on lower rock
Flame and smoke along ridgetop
Looking toward Lemmon Rock Lookout
Smoke closeup
Laying down on rock and looking up (Dennis' head)
Mike & Wendy
photograghing smoke
plumes pictured below
Wendy's wind-whipped shirt
First visible spotting & torching down hillside, probably near Mint Spring Trail
Smoke-hampered view of flames cresting the ridge (lighter pink area along ridgetop)
Flames probably along Aspen Trail approaching Carter Canyon.
Within minutes, progressive spotting and torching of trees on the hillside below, heading toward Carter Canyon residential area.
This view to the left, lead me to retreat to a safer distance, shown below
Below: Aspen Vista Lookout where Hot Shots also retreated and wait out the blow up
Leaving Aspen Vista Lookout
Sunset Trailhead Parking and another Hot Shot retreat area
Helicopter with bucket near Bigelow Towers
Smoke Plume seen behind the Mt. Bigelow Towers
...then back down to Tucson to wait and wonder with others in Tucson
Click here to return to Mt. Lemmon Photos
Photographic Categories
Flowers
Pacific NW Scenes
JudyOnMaui@aol.com or (808) 669-2365 HST (Please be mindful of Time Difference!)
Images available for purchase on Canvas or as Note Cards. Website images are the property of Judy Epstein.
Pricing & Ordering Information