MELISSA HALTERMAN/Arizona Summer Wildcat People gather on the southwest corner of East Sunrise Drive and North Sabino Canyon Road Sunday night to watch the Aspen fire. A temporary information center is set up to answer questions about the fire's progress.

Blaze provides ominous show as firefighters gain on containment

The Aspen fire has provided some Tucsonans with an alternative to the area's nightlife, as people have gathered throughout the Sabino Canyon area to watch the fire on Mount Lemmon.

Approximately 30 people assembled at North Sabino Canyon Drive and East Sunset Boulevard Sunday night to watch the fire and receive updates from an information booth at the scene.

Leslie Sample, 16, said "I've been watching fires since I was a little kid."

Sample also added that the Aspen fire was not the most exciting one she could remember, but that there was a much bigger crowd than she had seen at other fires.

As of Tuesday night, the fire charred more than 83,000 acres, as it crept toward the west and south, said Diane Williams, fire information officer for the State Bureau of Land Management. However, the more than 850 firefighters had 75 percent of the fire contained, with only five more miles of fire lines left to be built. The total to fight the fire rose to $13.2 million.

For others gathered near Sabino Canyon, watching the fire was a more somber pastime.

UA Alumnus Roy Martin, 40, called the fire "a once in a lifetime thing."

Martin went to the canyon area to get a better view of the flames.

Martin expressed empathy for those who lost their homes on Mount Lemmon, as well as those who were facing the prospect of evacuation from the Ventana Canyon area.

The Aspen fire was Martin's first experience as a firewatcher.

Julie Marrill, 39, said the fire was "devastating, scary, and sad."

Looking to the mountain, Marrill said, "I just hope they can stop it."

Although Marrill's home in Tucson was not in any danger from the fire, she expressed concern that "hiking in the area just won't be the same."

Jennifer Hoy, 28, was at Sabino for the second consecutive night, hoping to see improvement in the situation.

She said, "The fire looked worse [Saturday] night, so I hope the firefighters are getting it under control."

Hoy said that she and her husband Mike frequented Sabino Canyon and Mount Lemmon. They were disappointed that they will be unable to return to the area for an unspecified period of time.

Pima County Sheriff's Department Spokesman Deputy Steve Easton said the residential areas öö especially those that required evacuation öö have had a drastic increase in police presence, and are making sure those watching the fire obey all laws.

"We're hoping that people in the area obey traffic controls, stop signs, stop lights, and no parking zones," Easton said.

Easton added that keeping people safe as the heavy emergency equipment treks the windy foothills roads was another top priority.

"They're well aware they need to do what it takes to make sure the area stays safe."

Dwayne Arnspiger, 34, expressed concern over the impact on tourism in Tucson. He said that in an already depressed economy, any stagnation of tourists going to foothills resorts could start costing people their jobs at the resorts.

Arnspiger is another Tucsonan who frequented the area's hiking trails, and wonders when he'll be able to lace up his hiking boots again.