Tales from the Morgue: Summerhaven endangered by fire

[Ptah]

Tucsonans will not forget the Aspen fire in 2003 that wreaked havoc on
Summerhaven and much of the Catalinas. That certainly wasn't the first
time the community on Mt. Lemmon was threatened with destruction.

A similar event happened in 1946. The "first major blaze" of the season
was thought to have been caused by a careless camper who left a campfire unattended.

From the Arizona Daily Star, May 6, 1946:

Blazing Forest Endangering Community Atop Mt. Lemmon
__________

Fire Visible from Tucson After Dark; 100 Men Battle Flames as Hundred-Acre Tract Of Forest Land Is Destroyed
__________

A forest fire, plainly visible from Tucson after dark, burned high in the Catalina mountains, dangerously close to the Summerhaven community atop Mt. Lemmon yesterday, and in less than 12 hours destroyed 100 acres of forest land. It was the first major blaze this season.

[atreides1]

1. I remember the 2003 fire

We were stationed at Davis-Monthan, could see the flames at night and the smoke during the day.

[MiddleFingerMom]

2. Moved here in '98, but didn't start taking my motorcycle up to Summerhaven 'til around 2006 or -7.

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I was amazed at, and very VERY grateful for, how little damage had been done to Summerhaven and
even the road leading up to it.
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When I was riding, it was my favorite (by FAR) day trip. From town, 75 miles up and 75 miles down that
uber-curvy mountain road at about 30-35 mph. Slice of one of those heavenly pies at The Mt Lemmon Cafe
(Strawberry/Rhubarb and/or Sour Cream Apple -- YUMMM!!!!!).
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Friends would call Friday or Saturday and invite me out drinking. I'd turn them down, explaining that I wanted
to be clearheaded for my Summerhaven trip the next morning.
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Once, one of them laughed and told me that my whole life seemed to be revolving around PIE!!!
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A woman with whom I shared that little "scolding" had the perfect answer.
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"And his point?
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[PavePusher]

3. 75 miles?

It's only 25 from the base of the mountain to Summerhaven.

[MiddleFingerMom]

4. Sorry 75 miles roundtrip

[PavePusher]

5. Ah, got it. Same here. Caffein-deprivation makes me slow (...er than usual). n/t