When the summer temperatures rise in the Valley of the Sun, it is good to find an oasis. My family and I found our oasis at Fossil Creek, which is located about 2 1/2 hours north of Phoenix, between Camp Verde and Payson. Fossil Creek is one of only two Wild & Scenic designated rivers in all of Arizona.

 The wildfires have been numerous and extreme in Arizona this summer. Some of the main fires were the Coldwater, Woodbury, Hoyle, Badger Springs and Mountain Fires. The most widespread fire is the Woodbury Fire, which is burning in the Superstition Wilderness area of the Tonto National Forest east of Phoenix. The Woodbury Fire is the fifth largest fire in Arizona history.