Gov. Greg Abbott has requested disaster declarations from the U.S. Small Business Administration for counties in the Texas Panhandle affected by the wildfires that have ravaged the area since February 26.
Abbott announced the request in a press release on Monday, noting that the disaster declarations would make federal taxpayer-backed disaster loans available for persons affected by the fires in Carson, Hemphill, and Hutchinson Counties.
In his letter to Jeffrey Lusk, director of field operations for the SBA, Abbott wrote that a “damage survey indicates that at least 29 homes in Hemphill County and 69 homes and one business in Hutchinson County sustained major damages and suffered an uninsured loss of more than 40 percent.”
These were the areas hardest hit by the Smokehouse Creek Fire, which was the single-biggest wildfire in the Lone Star State’s history.
“As a result of the wildfire, many homes and businesses were affected, creating an economic emergency for county residents,” Abbott wrote in the letter. “I request that the SBA declare Hemphill and Hutchinson Counties a disaster area to make long-term, low-interest rate physical damage loans for homes and businesses and economic injury disaster loans available to citizens and businesses affected by the disaster.”
In Carson County, the Windy Deuce Fire has caused major damage to at least 39 homes, which have suffered an uninsured loss of more than 40%, Abbott wrote. He requested that the same type of loans be made available to residents there.
Abbott described assistance from the SBA as a “critical step” toward rebuilding affected communities.
“An approved SBA disaster declaration will give Texans access to crucial loans they need as they navigate the aftermath of these wildfires,” Abbott wrote. “I thank the Texas Division of Emergency Management for working with local partners to ensure that Texans in the Panhandle meet the eligibility requirements for additional financial assistance.”
“Working together, we will rebuild and help our fellow Texans come back even stronger,” he added.
The Texas A&M Forest Service reported that the three remaining active fires are currently at least 85% contained as of March 12. The Smokehouse Creek Fire has burned an estimated 1,058,482 acres and is 89% contained, the Windy Deuce Fire has consumed 144,045 acres and is 94% contained, and the Coahoma Tracks Fire has burned 76 acres and is 85% contained.
