WICHITA, KS. March 9, 2022 – Starting on the morning of March 5, grassfires fueled by heavy winds swept across Reno County. The grassfires, known as the Cottonwood Complex Fire, burned more than 12,000 acres and destroyed 35 homes, 92 outbuildings, and 110 vehicles near Hutchinson. To help the residents affected by the Cottonwood Complex Fire, KWCH and KSCW are partnering with the United Way of Reno County to raise funds to help with the recovery.

“This event hit close to home for a lot of our team,” said KWCH Vice President & General Manager Brad Moses. “Hutchinson is where KWCH started. It’s where our main transmitter is located. We’re still tied very closely to that community and several of our team members know someone directly impacted by the fire. Partnering with the United Way of Reno County is just the first step in helping everyone recover. KWCH is committed to helping our neighbors in Hutchinson get through this.”

Throughout March, KWCH, KSCW, the United Way of Reno County, and various partners will seek donations for families needing assistance. Viewers can donate by calling 211 or visiting unitedwayofrenocounty.org. Additional donation opportunities will be available throughout the month.

KWCH and KSCW will kick off the fund-raising efforts on March 10 with live coverage starting at 6:00 a.m. on Eyewitness News this Morning. Anchors Michael Schwanke and Rachel Hackbarth will lead the coverage from Reno County in all newscasts through 10:00 p.m. Kansans will learn how they can help, meet the volunteers working with families impacted by the fires, and hear what they’ll need to recover. KWCH and KSCW will also donate a promotional schedule sharing where viewers can donate.