In August, Governor Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency in Washoe County and the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony following the Bug and Fred Mountain Fires.
The fires, as we reported on Aug. 10, consumed over 16,000 acres and forced more than 6,000 people to evacuate.
Local News
Gov. Lombardo declares state of emergency for Bug and Fred Mountain fires
Later that month, we learned of the human-caused Hawk Fire in northwest Reno, which cause authorities to encourage about 90,000 people to evacuate after homes were destroyed.
Local News
Firefighters make progress against a fast-moving Reno wildfire
On Sept. 12, Channel 13 received a press release from governor’s office that financial assistance from the U.S. Small Business Administration might be available to those in “declared disaster [areas].”
“Families and businesses impacted by the Bug and Hawk fires have been through an incredibly difficult time, and they deserve every resource available to help them recover. I want to thank the SBA for approving our request for a disaster declaration, which will give affected Nevadans access to low-interest loans to repair, rebuild and replace what was lost. My administration will continue working alongside our local and federal partners to ensure Nevadans have the support they need to recover and move forward.” — Governor Joe Lombardo
The governor’s office said the SBA is providing the following low-interest loans:
- “Business Physical Disaster Loans: Loans to businesses to repair or replace disaster-damaged property owned by the business, including real estate, inventories, supplies, machinery and equipment. Businesses of any size are eligible. Private, non-profit organizations such as charities, churches, private universities, etc., are also eligible.
- Economic Injury Disaster Loans: Working capital loans to help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes meet their ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot be met as a direct result of the disaster. These loans are intended to assist through the disaster recovery period.
- Home Disaster Loans: Loans to homeowners or renters to repair or replace disaster-damaged real estate and personal property, including automobiles.”
You can apply for a disaster loan online through the MySBA Loan Portal, and can contact the SBA’s customer service center for more at [email protected] or at 1-800-659-2955. Those who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have speech disabilities may dial 711 for telecommunication relay services…