Dry conditions this spring ramped up the number of out-of-control grass fires that plagued Kansas, and among the losses was more than $500,000 in damage to Westar Energy equipment and structures.
“There have been an unusually high number of fires this year, and damaged structures,” said Andy Rietcheck, director of transmission and substation field construction. “Our biggest issue is it’s all emergent work. We get crews that are working Saturday, Sunday and through the night just trying to get the system integrity back to where we expect ...