Governor Joe Lombardo announced that the Small Business Administration (SBA) has officially declared a disaster for the state of Nevada following the destructive Bug and Hawk fires. The declaration unlocks low‑interest disaster loans for Nevada residents and organizations whose losses are not fully covered by insurance.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants include homeowners, renters, small‑business owners and private nonprofit groups that suffered property damage or income loss because of the fires. Secondary homes and vacation properties are excluded from the program.
Two loan programs are now available:
- Physical Disaster Loans – to repair or replace damaged structures, equipment, inventory and other tangible assets.
- Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) – to help small businesses meet ongoing financial obligations such as payroll, rent, utilities and loan payments.
Application deadlines
Applicants must submit physical disaster loan requests by November 10, 2026. Requests for Economic Injury Disaster Loans are due by June 11, 2027. All applications are processed online through the MySBA Loan Portal.
State leadership and response
Governor Lombardo praised the SBA’s swift action, saying, “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.” He added that his administration will continue to work with local and federal partners to ensure Nevadans receive the support they need.
NV OEM Chief Brett Compston echoed the sentiment, noting that the disaster declaration “shows how dedicated our recovery team is to getting survivors the help they need.” The Nevada Office of Emergency Management remains committed to exploring every assistance option for those affected.
How to apply
Interested parties should visit the MySBA Loan Portal, complete the online application and upload required documentation of loss. For additional guidance, the SBA Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center can be reached by email at [email protected] or by phone at 1‑800‑659‑2955.
Further recovery resources and updates are available on the Nevada Office of Emergency Management website.
Original reporting: 2news.com — read the source article.
