The Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD) is responding to a grass fire on Thursday afternoon east of the Colorado Springs Airport. CSFD estimated the blaze being called the Meridian Fire about 3,000 acres as of 3:15 p.m. Thursday. Structures in the area were being threatened, but it's unclear whether any have been lost. Evacuation have been issued for people from Gusty Bluffs Point and Meridian Road North to Highway 94 and Franceville Coal Mine, and to the east border of Schriever Space Force Base in Ellicott. People in those areas are being told to evacuate. A pre-evacuation warning has been issued for the area from Highway 94 and Franceville Coal Mine Road North to Davis Road, and east to the eastern border of Schriever Space Force Base. Those people are being told to prepare to leave. CSFD said those who are in danger should evacuate immediately, along with people who need extra time or help to leave their area. Due to other fires, the fire department said El Paso County Sheriff's Office was taking over lead communications for the Meridian Fire.