fire support resources
Major fires have burned throughout Eastern Washington. Whether you have evacuated, need support, or are looking to help those in need, here are some community resources available in our area to support you.
Businesses Affected by Fire - Make Sure You Qualify for FEMA
The U.S. Small Business Administration and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reminds survivors of the Grey and Oregon wildfires to fill out SBA loan paperwork to ensure they qualify for all FEMA benefits.
- The fastest way to start the process is to register with FEMA by visiting DisasterAssistance.gov
- The fastest way to enroll with SBA is by doing one of three things: visiting SBA’s disaster site: sba.gov/disaster; emailing SBA at disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or calling SBA customer service at (800) 659-2955
- Or visit the In-person locations to the right
- Learn more in this video
- View the SBA Disaster Loan Fact Sheet
- Read the FEMA Press Release about returning your application
- Download the SBA Media Release here and in Spanish
- View available Partner Resources
As a reminder, those registered with FEMA who have questions, or have received correspondence that appear to be denial letters, or need help to start or finish an SBA loan application — are encouraged to visit one of the two in-person disaster outreach centers available for survivors of the Gray and Oregon Road Fires in both the Elk Chattaroy and Medicine Lake communities. The locations and hours are below.
Elk Chattaroy Disaster Loan Outreach Center
Country Church of the Open Bible
40015 North Collins Road
Elk, WA 99009
Medical Lake Disaster Loan Outreach Center
Medical Lake City Hall
124 South Lefevre Street
Medical Lake, WA 99022
Hours of operations for both centers:
Monday, Tuesday, Friday 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
Wednesday and Thursday 8:30 am – 3:30 pm
Saturday 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Sundays closed.
About SBA's Federal Disaster Loans for Businesses
SBA’s low-interest federal disaster loans are available to businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets. SBA can also lend additional funds to help with the cost of improvements to protect, prevent or minimize disaster damage from occurring in the future.
For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic injury assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage.
Although the deadline to apply for a loan for property damage has passed, small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size still have until Nov. 20 to apply for an economic injury disaster loan to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic injury loan assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage.
Interest rates can be as low as 4 percent for businesses and 2.375 percent for private nonprofit organizations with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.
Interest does not begin to accrue until 12 months from the date of the first disaster loan disbursement. SBA disaster loan repayment begins 12 months from the date of the first disbursement.
Applicants may apply online and receive additional disaster assistance information at SBA.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
Donations
- Visit the American Red Cross website and select “my local Red Cross” to ensure your donation stays in the Inland Northwest or read this article for more instructions to support those affected by the surrounding fires.
- Donate via the Innovia Foundation Wildfire Emergency Response Fund for Eastern Washington.
- Visit the verified Go Fund Me requests here.
*Information changes rapidly and the resources are spread across many digital platforms and by word of mouth. If you know of a resource that is not on our list or should be removed, please email our Marketing & Communications Director, Yolanda Pagaduan.