(ANGEL FIRE)—The New Mexico Department of Veterans Services (DVS) has cancelled the scheduled Memorial Day ceremony on May 30 at its Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Angel Fire. The decision was made out of concerns over the Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak wildfire in northern New Mexico, which started April 6 in nearby San Miguel County and continues to burn in the direction of Angel Fire and the Moreno Valley area. More than 311,000 acres have been burned, and containment is at 40%.

State fire officials are urging people in southern Colfax and Taos Counties, and parts of San Miguel, Mora and northeastern Santa Fe counties to remain on high alert and to monitor news about road closures and evacuation notices.

“The situation is still very critical in this part of northern New Mexico,” said DVS Cabinet Secretary Sonya Smith. “The safety of everyone there is first and foremost on the minds of everyone here at the Department of Veterans Services.”