They may have a fire in their hearts for each other, but the couple who led their friends and family into the Angeles National Forest on Saturday for their wedding and reception did not expect an actual conflagration nearby.
In fact, it was just the opposite. Ken Grady and his bride, Julie (Sokolowski until Saturday afternoon), initially planned an outdoor fall wedding, then moved up the date to the spring -- to avoid the high fire danger of autumn.
For The Record
Los Angeles Times Tuesday, April 29, 2008 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 2 National Desk 1 inches; 48 words Type of Material: Correction
Sierra Madre fire: An article about a wildfire near Sierra Madre in Monday's California section said authorities had marked as a crime scene an area off Santa Anita Boulevard. The name of the street above Santa Anita Avenue that the site is on is Santa Anita Canyon Road.
Instead, they ended up exchanging their personally written vows as a wildfire started its path toward consuming about 400 acres of mountainous terrain north of Sierra Madre, according to authorities. On Sunday, the couple and their guests were airlifted out of harm's way.
About 1,000 residents were evacuated from 200 homes in the upper part of Sierra Madre against the mountains over the weekend as Southern California broiled in record-breaking heat. Fire officials said Sunday evening that the blaze was about 30% contained and that the threat to structures had mostly abated. But they said they would not decide until noon today whether to allow residents to return to their homes. All Sierra Madre schools will be closed today.
The wedding party of about 50 people, four dogs and several mules laden with food and the musical instruments of a bluegrass band trekked four miles Friday morning from Chantry Flats to Sturtevant Camp, a retreat operated by the Methodist Church and run by Julie Grady's stepfather. The couple carried their wedding finery, fashioned of hemp and silk, in backpacks. "We're all about green living," said Julie, 31, who grew up in Wrightwood but now lives in Steamboat Springs, Colo.
On Saturday afternoon when the fire started, search and rescue personnel alerted campers and hikers in the area, evacuating 350. By the time the wedding party was reached, the group was advised simply to stay put, fire officials said Sunday. Julie said they never thought they were in imminent danger.
So, like sprites of the forest, Julie, in a long cream-colored sundress of her own creation, and Ken, 44, in an ivory shirt, beige slacks and blue tie, exchanged vows before a judge in a clearing surrounded by huge pines. They were serenaded by a babbling brook and a violin played by Julie's 11-year-old daughter, Anala.
